Najib did not deny SMS authenticity but denies power abuse

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 - Datuk Seri Najib Razak has denied any abuse of power in relation to the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder investigations and the government's acquisition of 12 Eurocopter helicopters.

But he did not deny the text message exchanges between him and a lawyer at the heart of the allegations were genuine. He said the SMS exchanges were a private matter.

"Why do I need to comment? There is no abuse of power," the deputy prime minister said.

Malaysia Today carried a report detailing what it alleged was an exchange of text messages between Najib and Datuk Shafee Abdullah, the prominent lawyer who represented Abdul Razak Baginda, the close associate of Najib who was eventually charged with abetting two police officers in the murder of Altantuya in 2006.

In one SMS, Najib allegedly tells the lawyer that Razak — his advisor — "will face a tentative charge but all is not lost".

Malaysia Today said this message raises some questions about Najib's role in the case. "Why did he mention "tentative" charge and that "all is not lost" for RB (Razak Baginda)? How would Najib know this before Razak was charged? These are important questions which will have ramifications, not just on this case but far beyond," a posting on the website said.

However, Najib would neither confirm nor deny that the supposed SMS exchange between him and Shafee were genuine.

"It doesn't really matter. The important thing is there is no abuse of power," he said.

"No need, no need, it is private. Whatever it is, the prime minister has said enough," he continued in the same tone.

"Why should it be of major concern? The important thing is if there is abuse of power and, if you read it carefully, there is no abuse of power, period," Najib reasoned .

On the issue of the RM2.3 billion Eurocopter deal claimed by the opposition to cost more than other tenders, he merely stated that a full explanation would be given in Parliament.

"Whatever the opposition said is not true," he said dismissively. "We will give you the facts later."

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Shafie - Anwar will not get to Putrajaya by Sept 16, 2008

PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will not get to Putrajaya on Sept 16 as he claims by riding on a wave of defections by Sabah MPs.

“That is his claim. It will not happen. Most of the MPs are friends with each other. We know what is going on and we are staying in Barisan Nasional,” said Datuk Shafie Apdal.

The Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister and MP for Semporna said the people should not fall for Anwar’s claim that some 13 MPs from Sabah were ready to cross over to Pakatan Rakyat.

“It is his say against ours. We have made clear our firm stand to be with the Barisan," he said.

He was commenting on Anwar winning the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat with a big majority of 15,671 on Tuesday.

Shafie reiterated that the loud complaints of poverty, neglect and illegal immigrant issues raised by Sabah MPs should not be construed as a loss of faith in the Barisan leadership.

“Pak Lah, he listens. The various announcements of financial support to Sabah, including the RM2bil to combat poverty, is proof he acts on what we tell him,” he said.

In Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Barisan Nasional leaders echoed the same sentiment.

Sabah Umno assistant secretary Datuk Masidi Manjum said Anwar’s victory in Permatang Pauh could instead work to Sabah Barisan MPs’ advantage and lead to more concessions from the Federal Government.

“There is absolutely no compulsive reason for our MPs to cross over and there is no guarantee that a Federal Government headed by Anwar would give Sabahans a better deal,” he said.

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee said Malaysians should be ready for a “change” now that Anwar was back in Parliament.

In Kuching, Sarawak’s Environment and Public Health Minister Datuk Wong Soon Koh said Anwar should concentrate on being a responsible Opposition Leader instead of stirring up the people’s emotions now that he was an MP.


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