Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- ‘PPO has no authority to review Bala’s SD’
- Illegal Capital Flight Handicaps Asian Economies
- Anwar Ibrahim vs Dato Nalla, Utusan Malaysia and Datuk Aziz Ishak
- Malaysian ruling party mobilises for crisis election
- Young voters now in favour of BN: Muhyiddin
- 2.3 million register for BR1M 2.0
- Malaysian drivers have no skill
- All Barisan candidates must be cleared by MACC, says Najib
- DAP leader refutes Kelantan land-for-Perak MB deal
- Bar decides discretion is the better part of valour
- ‘We have proof top cops pally with crooks’
- Musa denies knowledge of SD, Najib’s SMS
| ‘PPO has no authority to review Bala’s SD’ Posted: 21 Dec 2012 04:44 PM PST
Does the Corruption Prevention Advisory Board (LPPR) have powers to override decisions made by MACC and the Public Prosecutor? Alyaa Azhar, FMT Former KL CID chief Mat Zain Ibrahim has questioned the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) operations evaluation panel's (PPO) authority to review its governing decision involving investigations into P Balasubramaniam's second statutory declaration (SD) or any other matters. Mat Zain has also similarly questioned the PPO's power to review the Public Prosecutor's (PP) decisions. PPO chairman Hadenan Abdul Jalil had recently announced that the case involving carpet trader Deepak Jaikishan was discussed during the PPO pre-meeting on Nov 8. But Mat Zain said today that Hadenan had no authority to review decisions made by MACC and the PP. His argument was based on a personal case in which he had appealed to the MACC advisory board to review a decision with regards to an investigation into a police report made by Anwar Ibrahim on July 1 2008. Anwar had accused Abdul Gani Patail, Musa Hassan, Abdul Rahman Yusof and himself for falsifying evidence in the investigation of the "black eye" incident. Mat Zain said on July 23 2009, he received an official letter from Abdul Hamid Mohamad, the chairman of Corruption Prevention Advisory Board (LPPR), a MACC panel which is above the PPO. The letter he said was also copied to Hadenan. In the letter Abdul Hamid stated: "LPPR's jurisdiction as provided by MACC Act Section 13 (Act 694) DOES NOT include reviewing any decision made by MACC and the Public Prosecutor in any particular case." Said Mat Zain: "If LPPR realised (then) that it did not have the authority to review decisions made by MACC and the Public Prosecutor, why did LPPR discuss in great detail my appeal on three occasions, on April 20, June 15 and June 25 2009? "I can only conclude that the answer given was to cover up the criminal misconduct made by Gani Patail and Musa Hassan so that they would not face legal punishment." Bearing this in mind, Mat Zain questioned how Hadenan and his PPO could now review a MACC's decision regarding Balasubramaniam's second SD, when Abdul Hamid himself confirmed that the LPPR had no authority. "There is no difference in whether Hadenan agrees or not with MACC's decision because the PPO does not have authority to review cases, as confirmed by Abdul Hamid. "If there really is a new law which enables PPO to review cases, then I want to make another appeal to LPPR to review the case on Gani and Musa which has been distorted," he said
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| Illegal Capital Flight Handicaps Asian Economies Posted: 21 Dec 2012 04:31 PM PST
But report by Global Financial Integrity may be misstating the case Private capital outflow by the disadvantaged non-bumiputras has long been a feature of Malaysia but the GFI report suggests that the number is even greater than hitherto assumed. Its puts the average unrecorded outflows at US$28 billion a year for the past decade and US$64 billion in 2010 alone. Philip Bowring, Asia Sentinel The recent report by Global Financial Integrity, a US-based group aimed at improving governance, contains some mind-boggling data about the prevalence of illicit money transfers costing developing countries hundreds of billions of dollars. The bottom line, the report says, is that over the past 10 years these countries have lost a total of US$5.8 trillion. Of this, Asia has accounted for nearly half, with China leading the field by a long way and Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia and India all appearing in the top ten list of losers, who together account for 75 percent of the global total. Read more at: http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5065&Itemid=422
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| Anwar Ibrahim vs Dato Nalla, Utusan Malaysia and Datuk Aziz Ishak Posted: 21 Dec 2012 04:24 PM PST
As follows is the Affidavit filed by Datuk S. Nallakaruppan on 24th September 2012 in reply to the civil suit filed by Anwar Ibrahim.
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| Malaysian ruling party mobilises for crisis election Posted: 21 Dec 2012 04:19 PM PST
With next year's vote shaping up to be the closest since 1957, UMNO will have no hesitation in resorting to vote-rigging, thuggery and police repression to win. John Roberts, World Socialist Web Site After repeated hints over the past year of an early election, Malaysia's ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) now appears likely to hold the poll close to the deadline for the dissolution of parliament in April next year. The indecision appears to reflect government concerns that the opposition parties might make further gains on top of those at the 2008 election. Addressing UMNO's general assembly earlier this month, Prime Minister Najib Razak called for party unity, saying: "We will be going to the battlefield before too long from now." He said that the election would be no ordinary poll and that the party would have to fight for every vote. Najib is well aware that his job is on the line. He replaced Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as prime minister in 2009, after the UMNO-led Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition lost its two-thirds majority in the national parliament in the 2008 poll, as well as five of the country's 13 state governments. As a result, UMNO, which has ruled Malaysia continuously since formal independence in 1957, lost the ability to change the constitution as will—a power that it had used repeatedly to reinforce its autocratic rule. During the assembly, UMNO's women's wing leader Shahrizat Abdul Jalil menacingly warned that there could be a repeat of the 1969 race riots, if "Malays", namely UMNO, lost power. UMNO used its thugs to instigate the race riots after electoral support for the party slumped in the 1969 election. In the wake of the riots, UMNO adopted the so-called New Economic Policy that heavily favoured the Malay majority in business, education and public sector jobs, over the country's ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities. The New Economic Policy fostered rampant cronyism as Malay businesses closely linked to UMNO took advantage of the racially-biased measures. The economy, however, has dramatically altered since the 1960s and 1970s, and is heavily dependent on the continued inflow of foreign investment to feed its export-oriented industries. As a result, the New Economic Policy has come into conflict with the demands of both foreign investors and significant sections of Malaysian business. The policy dilemma facing the government erupted in the midst of the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis, with an open split between Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who advocated currency and investment controls to protect Malay businesses, and his deputy, Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who pushed the IMF's demands to open up the economy to foreign investors. Mahathir dismissed Anwar, and expelled him and his supporters from UMNO. When Anwar began holding protest rallies against corruption, he was detained, beaten up and eventually convicted on bogus charges of corruption and homosexuality. Released from jail in 2004, Anwar now heads the opposition People's Alliance (PR), comprising his own Peoples Justice Party (Keadilan), the Islamist Parti Islam se-Malaysia (PAS) and the ethnic Chinese-based Democratic Action Party (DAP). None of the underlying issues that emerged in the 1998 crisis has been resolved. In a bid to retain business backing, the BN government under Badawi and Najib has edged closer to the policies advocated by Anwar. But Najib's own limited pro-market restructuring and changes to the New Economy Policy has provoked resentment within UMNO. As far as the corporate elite is concerned, however, the government has not gone far enough. Malaysia is increasingly being hit by a downturn in its export markets in the US and Europe. Official estimates put growth for 2013 between 4.5 and 5.5 percent, but some analysts have predicted it will be as low as 3.5 percent. Najib has announced a target of $444 billion in private sector-led investments by 2020, of which only $70 billion has been received in investment commitments over the past two years. There is also frustration in ruling circles with the government's attempts to woo voters with budget handouts and an increase in the minimum wage. As a result, significant sections of big business have come to view Anwar as more able to impose the policies they require: opening up the economy to foreign investment, ending racially-based cronyism, and implementing an austerity agenda. Read more at: http://wsws.org/en/articles/2012/12/21/mala-d21.html
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| Young voters now in favour of BN: Muhyiddin Posted: 21 Dec 2012 04:04 PM PST
(Bernama) -- Young voters, key to the country achieving developed nation status by the year 2020, now are in favor of the Barisan Nasional (BN), said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin. He said the awareness of young voters to the BN's ability to continue leading the country was stronger now because they knew only the BN could assure a better future for Malaysia. "With the (general) election nearing, it seems that this wave of consciousness is very evident, I say congratulations to the young people ... just a while go I saw a banner captioned "Orang muda sokong BN" (Young People Support the BN). "We gathered a million youths in Putrajaya and they wanted Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to remain as the Prime Minister of Malaysia," he said when addressing guests of the 1Malaysia People's Feast at Kampung Sungai Bahagia's football field in Manir here today. Also present were Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said and Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek. Muhyiddin said BN would assure that no group of people whether in Peninsular Malaysia , Sabah or Sarawak would be left out of mainstream development if it remained in power till 2020. He said the BN government today was entrusted with the responsibility ensure the people's well-being. He said, in implementing the trust, the government always ensured the national economy expanded, job opportunities increased, industries became more advanced and better social facilities such as in health and education. "We promise Malaysia will become a developed nation in eight years. Every level of people, old, young, all communities, Peninsular, Sabah and Sarawak will be given attention and will be well looked after," he said. He said it was not an empty promise because BN would assure that by 2020, Malaysia would become a developed nation according to the people's aspiration. In the meantime, he said PAS would not be able to become the party to look after the welfare of the Malays and Islam in the country as Umno had done all these all this while. 'When we help the people, PAS calls it corruption. I do not know what decree they use, as it is our duty to the people," he said. He said the BN government had never played favourites in helping the people because what was important was that they were loyal to King and country. He also said that he was confident that Terengganu would remain under BN with the support of every layer of society who wanted to see continuous change and development in the state. He expected the support of the people of Terengganu towards Umno and BN would be higher compared to the previous general election. "Let us together, with determination and resolve, bring changes to the Muslim community in the state under Umno and BN," he said. During the ceremony, which was attended by some 15,000 people, he also announced an allocation of RM2.9 million to repair houses of the poor and to build facilities for the people in the Manir state constituency.
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| 2.3 million register for BR1M 2.0 Posted: 21 Dec 2012 03:53 PM PST  (Bernama) -- Eligible people who register for the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) 2.0 by Dec 31 can get the payment in the first quarter of 2013, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah said today. "We will make the payment in the first quarter of 2013. Those who have yet to register are advised to do so before Dec 31 so that they can be paid when we make the payments. "If they register late, they will receive the payment late. They can register online or manually. When we make the payment in the first quarter, all those who registered will be paid," he told reporters after launching an entrepreneurs' carnival of SME Bank, here. However, Ahmad Husni said, no closing date had been set for the BR1M 2.0 registration which opened on Nov 1. He also said that more than 2.3 million applications had been received for BR1M 2.0 as at Dec 17, with more than 1.6 million of the applications from single unmarried people and more than 720,000 from households. Malaysians with a household income of less than RM3,000 a month are eligible or the one-off RM500 cash aid, while single unmarried individuals aged 21 and above and earning not more than RM2,000 a month are eligible for a one-off RM250 aid. Ahmad Husni said 54 per cent of the applications were made manually and the rest, online. The application forms can be obtained free from the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) service centres and branches, Federal Development Department, Social Welfare Department, Information Department and government agencies or downloaded from or filled online at the LHDN website, www.hasil.gov.my. He said BR1M 2.0, which involved an allocation of RM3 billion, was expected to benefit 4.3 million households and 2.7 million single unmarried individuals. Last year, 4.2 million people benefited from the BR1M payment made for the first time, involving an allocation of RM2.1 billion.
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| Malaysian drivers have no skill Posted: 21 Dec 2012 03:47 PM PST
road runner Hi, From my daily observations and experience (and accident statistics), I dare say that more than 90% of Malaysian drivers have little or no driving skills at all. Most car drivers blame motorcyclists, calling them road terrors etc, but car drivers are actually the bigger culprit, and pose even more danger to motorcyclists. Here are the top ten "offences" 1- Speeding They drive like an F1 driver, but can't even keep to their own lane when cornering. Imagine what will happen if they stray into another lane and touch another vehicle at speeds of 110kmh and above. And many drivers think that they are Michael Schumacher, speeding even in torrential rain. These people only know how to press the accelerator, but have little idea how to control their car. Most accident reports are of "drivers losing control of the vehicle". 2 - Staying on own lane Mentioned above, these drivers don't seem able to STAY on their own lane, drifting to the right or left lane. This happens everywhere, in roundabouts, in corners and even on straight roads. This is pure bad driving habit. They expect other drivers to give way. That's the best case scenario. The worst case, they cause fatal accidents by grazing an unfortunate motorcyclist. 3 - Speeding in the rain Again related to the first, most drivers continue to speed even in heavy rain and limited visibility. They have no idea that in such conditions, their car's wheels will lock up and drift when sudden brake force is applied. Not everyone drives a Mercedes or BMW with tons of safety features. Driving in the rain requires extra caution because vehicle stopping distances, slippery road conditions and limited visibility present extra challenges. 4 - Different types of vehicle, different types of control I have seen many drivers driving big vans and 4x4 utility vehicles as if they are driving a small family car. They speed and weave in and out with little concern that the physics and controls of these bigger, taller and heavier are totally different from typical family sedans. Vans have a very short frontal section and poses extra risk in a frontal collision. And their tall build presents an inherent instability, especially when cornering. 5 - Not bothering to use indicator lights / turn signals This must be counted as one of the worst and most "popular" habits of the majority of Malaysian drivers out there, and undoubtly the cause of many fatal accidents. I have actually suggested car manufacturers make turn signal indicators "OPTIONAL". Why? Almost 90% of the time, the drivers REFUSE to indicate where they want to turn. This again happens in almost every driving situation, whether in roundabouts, junctions, parking etc. This is especially dangerous when the driver suddenly changes lane because even a slight touch or graze to a motorcyclist will knock him down, even at moderate speeds. An unfortunate example was the 4x4 vehicle which switched lane (according to a news report) without notice and grazed a few big motorcyclists at the NKVE highway recently, causing a fatal accident. Maybe they think it is a hassle. Maybe some young drivers think it is cool. How much effort does it take to turn on the turn signal indicator? Can they live the rest of their lives in peace if they caused a fatal accident? 6 - Driving in slow motion Amazingly, I have come across not once but many times, drivers cruising at 20-30km/h in major highways, at their leisure. These motorists don't seem to realize that by driving at such a slow pace, they are forcing other drivers to overtake them, sometimes dangerously, on the left or right lanes. This is worse if the road has only a single lane. And many motorists, driving at normal speed, can be caught unawares by a very slow vehicle in front, and fail to brake on time because they are conditioned to think that all cars on the highway are moving constantly at a reasonable speed. 7 - Road Hogging and tailgaters Includes those who seem to be daydreaming and hogging the fast lane, refusing to budge even when flashed numerous times by the car behind. However, some habitual tailgaters are also included in this section. 8 - Indiscriminate Parking These offenders park where and when they like. Have you seen cars parked on a two lane road, taking up one whole lane? I have, surprisingly many times. Some actually stop in the middle of the road, without giving any sign of their intentions. And many people leave their cars at corners, blocking other motorists' view coming out of junctions. This could cause mishaps because motorists are unable to see oncoming vehicles properly. 9 - Housing Area Menaces The worst culprits, from my observations, are young people; the bane of all residents, and nightmare of many cats and dogs. They drive at frightening speeds, and can't seem to comprehend that small children and animals may dash out anytime. 10 - The last is actually for readers to list down, because there so many, ten is not enough The only skill most Malaysian drivers have, is causing accidents.
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| All Barisan candidates must be cleared by MACC, says Najib Posted: 21 Dec 2012 03:19 PM PST
(The Malaysian Insider) - All Barisan Nasional election candidates must be vetted and cleared by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is also Barisan chairman, said it was the coalition's standard practice to submit names of its potential candidates to the MACC to be vetted. "All Barisan candidates go through the vetting process by MACC. We refer their names to MACC, and if they have doubtful files, they will not pass the vetting process. "It is the stand of Barisan that every candidate must pass the MACC vetting process," he told the Malaysian media delegation here yesterday. He was responding to a suggestion by the MACC's Consultation and Corruption Prevention Panel chairman Datuk Johan Jaafar that all political parties send their list of candidates for vetting by the commission. Najib is in New Delhi to attend the two-day Asean-India Commemo-rative Summit, which celebrates 20 years of Asean-India relationship. Asked if the electoral candidates list has been finalised, Najib said it was an ongoing process. "Although we have a list, if we get the latest input or information, changes can be made as long as the announcement (of the candidacy) has not been made," he said. Meanwhile, Bernama reported Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal as saying that the proposal for candidates to be vetted by the MACC would prevent any problems later if the candidates were found to be involved in corruption after they were elected. "I'm all for it because we do not want to find out later that the candidate has problems and a by-election has to be called. "This will not only involve costs, but also inconvenience the people," Shafie told reporters after a working visit to the Tok Bali fishermen resettlement project in Pasir Puteh, Kelantan, yesterday.
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| DAP leader refutes Kelantan land-for-Perak MB deal Posted: 21 Dec 2012 03:13 PM PST
Ida Lim, The Malaysian Insider Perak DAP chairman Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham has admitted to being a director in a logging firm awarded land in PAS-led Kelantan but refuted that the project was in exchange for letting the Islamist party take the silver state's mentri besar post, the New Straits Times (NST) reported today. Ngeh told the English-language daily that he and another Perak DAP lawmaker, Nga Kor Ming, had invested in the project but stressed that the deal was above board. "The Inland Revenue Board is aware of this transaction. So is the federal government. "The federal government even gave out a loan as the project is for the good of the country," the Beruas MP was quoted as saying by the NST. Last Thursday, Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblymen alleged in the state assembly that both Ngeh (picture) and Nga had been awarded a piece of land, said to be worth RM30 million, and linked it to the appointment of PAS's Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin as Perak mentri besar after the 2008 general election. Datuk Mohd Khusairi Abdul Talib was reported as saying that Ngeh and Syarikat Efektif Kirana Sdn Bhd had bought 4,000 hectares in Gua Musang, Kelantan for a logging project. The BN assemblyman for Slim claimed that Nga, the Perak DAP secretary, was also involved. At a press conference yesterday, Ngeh, who is also a lawyer, had explained that the Perak duo had invested in the project upon invitation by their client Upaya Padu Plantations Sdn Bhd. Yesterday, The Star Online reported Ngeh as saying the original sales and purchase agreement of the land was signed in May 3, 2006, which he said showed that the claims against him and Nga amounted to slander. "This shows that the transaction between Yayasan Islam Kelantan and Upaya Padu Plantations Sdn Bhd was conducted even before Pakatan Rakyat was in power in 2008. "Therefore claims that the land was given to us by PAS in exchange for a mentri besar position are slander. "As a lawyer maintaining my professional ethics, I could only reveal that the group of investors, who were also my clients, only purchased the company this year. "It is only a personal transaction and a private sector investment into the state," he was quoted as saying by The Star Online. Both Ngeh and Nga, who are cousins, are also lawmakers for the Sitiawan and Pantai Remis state seats. Ngeh was reported as saying he will sue those who have defamed them over this matter.
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| Bar decides discretion is the better part of valour Posted: 21 Dec 2012 03:05 PM PST
Furthermore, should the Bar Council launch an inquiry based solely on the rantings of Deepak Jaikishen who claims to have played an instrumental part in the signing of the SD2 but who has changed his stand completely now? What about Balasubramaniam, the protagonist in this tale? He recants his first SD saying he was forced to sign it under duress, and signs the second SD for cash. Then he starts bleating 'duress and force' again. FMT LETTER: From Prudent Observer, via e-mail The response to Harris Ibrahim's insistence that the Bar Council investigates the so called 'father and son' legal team over the drafting of the SD2 has been cautious and rightly so. Opinion in the legal circle is divided. Some senior lawyers have expressed the need for caution. PI Balasubramaniam was never a client of the lawyers in question. A lawyer's paramount duty is to his client. The client wanted SD2 drafted and it was done. The lawyer's work is done. Is he liable for what the client does with the document? So the Bar Council's cautious stand is understandable. Furthermore, should the Bar Council launch an inquiry based solely on the rantings of Deepak Jaikishen who claims to have played an instrumental part in the signing of the SD2 but who has changed his stand completely now? Would not Jaikishen be dismissed as an unreliable witness in a court of law, even impeached? What about Balasubramaniam, the protagonist in this tale? He recants his first SD saying he was forced to sign it under duress, and signs the second SD for cash. Then he starts bleating 'duress and force' again. He and Deepak are not far different, wavering and solely motivated by self interest and gain. Rightly, the Bar Council has asked for more evidence. They have not said they would not investigate. If what Balasubramaniam says of the first SD is true, why were the lawyers concerned not reported for coercing Balasubramaniam. Where were you Harris Ibrahim then? And the rest of your shadowy supporters in the background baying for blood. Why did not you call the Bar Council to investigate then? Did Balasubraniam instruct the lawyers of SD1? Why the haste and insistence? Be sure of the brief given to the lawyers of SD2. Or is there a hidden agenda?
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| ‘We have proof top cops pally with crooks’ Posted: 21 Dec 2012 03:00 PM PST
Top police officers have been involved in criminal activities, according to MyWatch, which claims to have the evidence. Teoh El Sen, FMT The Malaysian Crime Watch Task Force, or MyWatch, today claimed that it has in its possession evidence that top police officers are involved in criminal activities. R Sri Sanjeevan, the chairman of the watchdog NGO, threatened to make public the information unless the Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar agrees to meet with the group so that an open, high-profile investigation can be carried out immediately. "We have all the evidence that top police officers are involved in money laundering, illegal gambling, prostitution, football bookies and have direct links with underworld figures and kingpins. Yet to date, there is no answer and no action by the IGP," Sanjeevan said in a statement. Sanjeevan also cited a case where a top police officer was given an "all-expense paid trip overseas to play golf with an underworld kingpin" as well as as one where "one senior police official's son and daughter is working for a kingpin with special privileges". "Aren't they [officers] obliged in some ways to them [kingpins]? Isn't that conflict of interest?" asked Sanjeevan. He said that Ismail cannot choose to keep quiet and must act without fear or favour against corrupt officers, which are now being slowly revealed by former Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan. "I again invite the IGP to meet with us so we can pass such evidence to him or we will be forced to make this information public. All police officers should be accountable for their actions and must have more sense of responsibility when dealing with crime or public," said Sanjeevan. Aside from Ismail, Sanjeevan urged Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, and the Home Ministry secretary-general Abd Rahim Mohd Radzi to respond to Musa's past allegations. Several bombshells
"Musa has clearly mentioned that there is meddling and interference by the Home Minister and the secretary-general into police matters. For example, giving direct instruction to state police chiefs, CID chiefs, and junior officers but since then there has been no answer by anyone. "So [by keeping silent] I assume they silently 'agreed' to what we have revealed," he said. In recent weeks, Musa had dropped several bombshells, alleging that politicians have been interfering with police work and that criminal elements have infiltrated the force. He also pointed out that there may have been cases of abuse of power at the top level when several senior policemen were transferred out for refusing to approve an "unsound" walkie-talkie project. Musa also labelled Ismail a "yes man" and had urged the latter to be tough, revealing one example when Ismail allegedly cried after he was scolded for following the orders of former home minister Syed Hamid Albar to arrest a reporter under the then Internal Security Act (ISA). Following these disclosures, several quarters have hit back at the former top cop, questioning Musa's timing and credibility. They also brought up the "copgate" issue where Musa is alleged to have links to underworld figures. Musa's detractors included Hishammuddin, businessman Robert Phang, former KL CID chief Mat Zain Ibrahim, former Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief Ramli Yusuff and his lawyer Rosli Dahlan. Responding to the attacks, Sanjeevan said that these are merely attempts to divert the NGO's focus on crime, and threatened to take legal action against "those who continue to make false and malicious accusations".
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| Musa denies knowledge of SD, Najib’s SMS Posted: 21 Dec 2012 02:55 PM PST
Musa Hassan confirms that he met then DPM Najib Tun Razak to tell him that analyst Abdul Razak Baginda was to be arrested. Najib, however, told him to "carry on". Teoh El Sen, FMT The intensifying chatter of an alleged conspiracy in the 2006 murder of Altantuya Shaarribuu has put a SMS purportedly sent by Najib Tun Razak to his close friend Abdul Razak Baginda back in the spotlight. The SMS was first mentioned in P Balasubramaniam's first statutory declaration [SD], where the private investigator claimed that Razak Baginda showed him the text message from the then deputy prime minister the morning before he was arrested. "On the day Abdul Razak Baginda was arrested, I was with him at his lawyers office at 6.30 am Abdul Razak Baginda informed us that he had sent Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak an SMS the evening before as he refused to believe he was to be arrested, but had not received a response." "Shortly thereafter, at about 7.30 am, Abdul Razak Baginda received an SMS from Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and showed, this message to both myself and his lawyer. This message read as follows :- 'I am seeing IGP at 11.00 a.m. today …… matter will be solved … be cool'," according to the SD. However, any instances of impropriety was dismissed by former Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan today, who said that he did meet Najib at the time but the latter did not attempt to interfere into the case in any way. Speaking to FMT, Musa recounted that he had briefed the then Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi about the case. Musa had previously told online news portal Malaysiakini.com that top cops were summoned in 2007 by Badawi about the case. "The Prime Minister Badawi asked me whether Najib was involved or not. I said no. Our investigations showed he was not. I told him my men will be arresting Razak Baginda because of his involvement, " he said, adding that the former premier then directed that he inform Najib of this. "I met Najib telling him that I was going to arrest Razak Baginda. He replied 'carry on'. That's all. He did not try to interfere with what the police was going to do." Asked about the alleged SMS message, Musa said he was not privy to that as Najib did not show him anything of the kind. He also explained that police investigations were focused on the murder and the issue with the SD was being handled by another enforcement agency. "I don't know about the SD. The SD was actually investigated by somebody else. I only monitored the murder case." On whether further investigations should be done on the SD matter, Musa replied: "I think if they want to find the truth it should be investigated." In the interview with Malaysiakini, Musa had said that it was untrue that Najib's wife Rosmah Mansor was at the scene of the crime. He said investigations also showed military was not involved. Murky saga In Oct 21, Musa had denied that he was to hold a press conference in Bangkok the next day. This was information posted on the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) website, where it was written that the press conference was supposed to reveal new details about the Altantuya murder. On several occasions, Musa's name would be dragged into the dramatic but murky saga. Aside from being identified in the first SD, Musa's name was mentioned during an alleged exchange of text messages between Najib and an Umno-linked lawyer. This transcript, which was published in the Malaysia Today blog, had suggested that Musa had met Najib over the murder. Najib had reportedly said that there was no abuse of power over the case.
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