The Star : Friday July 4, 2008
It’s a pack of lies to smear my reputation, says Najib
KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has reiterated that he had neither met nor known Altantuya Shaariibuu.
“The statutory declaration, which I consider a horrible lie, a mere fabrication with malicious intention and slanderous element is aimed at smearing my image,” he told a packed press conference held at about 7pm at his office in Parliament Building here yesterday.
Najib said the statutory declaration by private investigator P. Balasubramaniam was a “red herring” by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to divert public attention from the sodomy allegation against the PKR adviser.
“I am very sure that this is a very desperate attempt to divert attention from the sodomy allegation that Anwar is facing now. “What is important now is not the matter raised as a diversion, (or as a) red herring. ... What people want to know is whether the sodomy case happened or not. I hope the relevant authorities will investigate and make an announcement as soon as possible,” he said.
On the statutory declaration, Najib said as it contradicted the testimonies in court and also the police report, he would leave it to the authorities to investigate fully, but stressed that he also had rights as a citizen to defend himself.
“I can take personal action, but what is more important is that action can be taken because there are provisions of the law like defamation and so forth,” he added.
Najib also denied that he had had a sexual relationship with Altantuya, nor did he conspire to cover up her murder as alleged by Balasubramaniam.
"No, absolutely not, because I have never ever met her," he said
Asked whether he was willing to be investigated, he said: “Why should I be investigated? Give me a good reason. The police have investigated the entire Altantuya case, so they know everything.
“The parties responsible (for the statutory declaration) should be prepared to accept any consequences if the authorities uncover any legal wrongdoing.”
Najib questioned why the matter had to come up now after Anwar was recently accused of sodomy.
“Now, suddenly everyone is under attack, the Inspector-General of Police, the Attorney-General, even I am attacked. “Why now? This is the question,” he added. “If he (Anwar) was so concerned about the case he should have brought it up much, much earlier. Why now?” he added.
Asked whether the latest accusations would affect him during the coming Umno elections, Najib said it would not.
“I’m very relaxed about it. As you can see I’m still smiling. I’m not worried at all because the truth will prevail,” he added.
Najib said he believed in the (justice) system and stressed that he had not done anything wrong.
“There’s nothing to be worried about. Life goes on as usual. As far as I’m concerned, it’s business as usual,” he added
The Star : Friday July 4, 2008
Mahfuz raises latest allegation against Najib in Parliament
KUALA LUMPUR: PAS information chief Mahfuz Omar has gone where angels fear to tread and brought up the latest allegation by a private investigator against Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in his debate at the Dewan Rakyat at 4.30pm.The Pokok Sena MP, who had earlier been criticising the Government’s policies on the control of fuel prices, took many MPs by surprise when he raised the issue at the tail end of his debate.
This prompted Deputy Speaker Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar to remind Mahfuz that “his time was up” while some of the backbenchers took to heckling him. Touching on the ministerial statement delivered by Najib on Monday to further explain the social restructuring policies under the Mid-Term Review report, Mahfuz said this was equivalent to a “no-confidence’ motion against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
“His (Najib’s) wife has been implicated in the statutory declaration by Raja Petra Kamarudin, which claimed that she was present during (Mongolian translator) Altantuya (Shaariibuu)’s murder.
“And the latest allegation by private investigator P. Balasubramaniam in his own statutory declaration that Altantuya had been promised US$500,000 commission from the sale of a submarine – what about all these statutory declarations? How is the investigation into all these claims going to be?” Mahfuz asked.
At this point, someone was heard shouting that “just because it’s a statutory declaration, this doesn’t mean it’s the truth”.
There were also jeers for Mahfuz not to fitnah (slander) and a slow rumble of disapproval could be heard from among the backbenchers.
He only sat down after Wan Junaidi repeatedly told him his debate time was over.
The Star : Friday July 4, 2008
Lawyer to consult with Abdul Razak first
PETALING JAYA: Lawyer Wong Kian Kheong said he will consult his client Abdul Razak Baginda on the statutory declaration made by the political analyst’s former private eye. He said this was after the statutory declaration was brought to his attention.
“I need to seek instructions from my client,” he told The Star yesterday when asked about the statutory declaration made by P. Balasubramaniam, who had testified as the first prosecution witness in the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder trial.
The declaration was also news to Datuk Hazman Ahmad and Kamarul Hisham Kamaruddin, the lawyers representing the two policemen charged with the murder. Hazman, counsel for C/Insp Azilah Hadri, said he was “very surprised” with the contents of the statutory declaration by the private investigator, who had been hired by Abdul Razak to keep the Mongolian woman away from him.
“I really don’t know where these details came from. This is the first time I’m hearing this,” the lawyer said yesterday.
Hazman said it was a practice for him to always ask his clients everything that had transpired when he accepted their cases.
“I only know of what my client had told me, and all of that was presented in court,” he said.
Kamarul Hisham, counsel for Kpl Sirul Azhar Umar, said these allegations needed to be investigated.
“I have only read the declaration based on what was posted online,” he added.
Kamarul Hisham said the declaration was extraneous material as far as the trial was concerned.
“However, if there is any truth to the declaration, then it throws a big question on the culpability of the three people standing trial for the murder,” he said.
The Star : Friday July 4, 2008
Kit Siang: DPM should go on leave
KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak should go on leave until allegations about his involvement in the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu are cleared, said DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang.
In a statement issued, Lim said private investigator P. Balasubramaniam’s statutory declaration yesterday had “challenged the truth and veracity of various statements and denials by Najib”.
“Najib, as well as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, cannot allow Balasubramaniam’s statutory declaration to go unchallenged as it raises grave fundamental issues as to their fitness to hold high political offices.”
He added that the issues brought up by Balasubramaniam were of urgent public importance, which Parliament should take immediate cognisance by having an immediate debate.
The Star : Friday July 4, 2008
Suspend Musa and Gani, says PKR Youth
PUTRAJAYA: PKR Youth wants Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan and Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail to be suspended pending investigations into their alleged abuse of power.
PKR Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin said there could be interference in the investigations should Musa and Gani remain in office.
The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) has started a probe into a police report lodged by PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim alleging abuse of power by the two in the infamous “black eye” case in 1998.
Shamsul and several youth leaders handed over a four-page memorandum to the Prime Minister yesterday. The Prime Minister’s principal private secretary Datuk Ahmad Yaacob received the memorandum.
Shamsul said that in the absence of Musa, Deputy IGP Tan Sri Ismail Omar could take charge while a Deputy Public Prosecutor could assume Gani’s duties.
It’s a pack of lies to smear my reputation, says Najib
KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has reiterated that he had neither met nor known Altantuya Shaariibuu.
“The statutory declaration, which I consider a horrible lie, a mere fabrication with malicious intention and slanderous element is aimed at smearing my image,” he told a packed press conference held at about 7pm at his office in Parliament Building here yesterday.
Najib said the statutory declaration by private investigator P. Balasubramaniam was a “red herring” by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to divert public attention from the sodomy allegation against the PKR adviser.
“I am very sure that this is a very desperate attempt to divert attention from the sodomy allegation that Anwar is facing now. “What is important now is not the matter raised as a diversion, (or as a) red herring. ... What people want to know is whether the sodomy case happened or not. I hope the relevant authorities will investigate and make an announcement as soon as possible,” he said.
On the statutory declaration, Najib said as it contradicted the testimonies in court and also the police report, he would leave it to the authorities to investigate fully, but stressed that he also had rights as a citizen to defend himself.
“I can take personal action, but what is more important is that action can be taken because there are provisions of the law like defamation and so forth,” he added.
Najib also denied that he had had a sexual relationship with Altantuya, nor did he conspire to cover up her murder as alleged by Balasubramaniam.
"No, absolutely not, because I have never ever met her," he said
Asked whether he was willing to be investigated, he said: “Why should I be investigated? Give me a good reason. The police have investigated the entire Altantuya case, so they know everything.
“The parties responsible (for the statutory declaration) should be prepared to accept any consequences if the authorities uncover any legal wrongdoing.”
Najib questioned why the matter had to come up now after Anwar was recently accused of sodomy.
“Now, suddenly everyone is under attack, the Inspector-General of Police, the Attorney-General, even I am attacked. “Why now? This is the question,” he added. “If he (Anwar) was so concerned about the case he should have brought it up much, much earlier. Why now?” he added.
Asked whether the latest accusations would affect him during the coming Umno elections, Najib said it would not.
“I’m very relaxed about it. As you can see I’m still smiling. I’m not worried at all because the truth will prevail,” he added.
Najib said he believed in the (justice) system and stressed that he had not done anything wrong.
“There’s nothing to be worried about. Life goes on as usual. As far as I’m concerned, it’s business as usual,” he added
The Star : Friday July 4, 2008
Mahfuz raises latest allegation against Najib in Parliament
KUALA LUMPUR: PAS information chief Mahfuz Omar has gone where angels fear to tread and brought up the latest allegation by a private investigator against Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in his debate at the Dewan Rakyat at 4.30pm.The Pokok Sena MP, who had earlier been criticising the Government’s policies on the control of fuel prices, took many MPs by surprise when he raised the issue at the tail end of his debate.
This prompted Deputy Speaker Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar to remind Mahfuz that “his time was up” while some of the backbenchers took to heckling him. Touching on the ministerial statement delivered by Najib on Monday to further explain the social restructuring policies under the Mid-Term Review report, Mahfuz said this was equivalent to a “no-confidence’ motion against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
“His (Najib’s) wife has been implicated in the statutory declaration by Raja Petra Kamarudin, which claimed that she was present during (Mongolian translator) Altantuya (Shaariibuu)’s murder.
“And the latest allegation by private investigator P. Balasubramaniam in his own statutory declaration that Altantuya had been promised US$500,000 commission from the sale of a submarine – what about all these statutory declarations? How is the investigation into all these claims going to be?” Mahfuz asked.
At this point, someone was heard shouting that “just because it’s a statutory declaration, this doesn’t mean it’s the truth”.
There were also jeers for Mahfuz not to fitnah (slander) and a slow rumble of disapproval could be heard from among the backbenchers.
He only sat down after Wan Junaidi repeatedly told him his debate time was over.
The Star : Friday July 4, 2008
Lawyer to consult with Abdul Razak first
PETALING JAYA: Lawyer Wong Kian Kheong said he will consult his client Abdul Razak Baginda on the statutory declaration made by the political analyst’s former private eye. He said this was after the statutory declaration was brought to his attention.
“I need to seek instructions from my client,” he told The Star yesterday when asked about the statutory declaration made by P. Balasubramaniam, who had testified as the first prosecution witness in the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder trial.
The declaration was also news to Datuk Hazman Ahmad and Kamarul Hisham Kamaruddin, the lawyers representing the two policemen charged with the murder. Hazman, counsel for C/Insp Azilah Hadri, said he was “very surprised” with the contents of the statutory declaration by the private investigator, who had been hired by Abdul Razak to keep the Mongolian woman away from him.
“I really don’t know where these details came from. This is the first time I’m hearing this,” the lawyer said yesterday.
Hazman said it was a practice for him to always ask his clients everything that had transpired when he accepted their cases.
“I only know of what my client had told me, and all of that was presented in court,” he said.
Kamarul Hisham, counsel for Kpl Sirul Azhar Umar, said these allegations needed to be investigated.
“I have only read the declaration based on what was posted online,” he added.
Kamarul Hisham said the declaration was extraneous material as far as the trial was concerned.
“However, if there is any truth to the declaration, then it throws a big question on the culpability of the three people standing trial for the murder,” he said.
The Star : Friday July 4, 2008
Kit Siang: DPM should go on leave
KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak should go on leave until allegations about his involvement in the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu are cleared, said DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang.
In a statement issued, Lim said private investigator P. Balasubramaniam’s statutory declaration yesterday had “challenged the truth and veracity of various statements and denials by Najib”.
“Najib, as well as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, cannot allow Balasubramaniam’s statutory declaration to go unchallenged as it raises grave fundamental issues as to their fitness to hold high political offices.”
He added that the issues brought up by Balasubramaniam were of urgent public importance, which Parliament should take immediate cognisance by having an immediate debate.
The Star : Friday July 4, 2008
Suspend Musa and Gani, says PKR Youth
PUTRAJAYA: PKR Youth wants Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan and Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail to be suspended pending investigations into their alleged abuse of power.
PKR Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin said there could be interference in the investigations should Musa and Gani remain in office.
The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) has started a probe into a police report lodged by PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim alleging abuse of power by the two in the infamous “black eye” case in 1998.
Shamsul and several youth leaders handed over a four-page memorandum to the Prime Minister yesterday. The Prime Minister’s principal private secretary Datuk Ahmad Yaacob received the memorandum.
Shamsul said that in the absence of Musa, Deputy IGP Tan Sri Ismail Omar could take charge while a Deputy Public Prosecutor could assume Gani’s duties.
No comments:
Post a Comment