Half-a-billion ringgit kickback probe 'not serious', says Foreign minister

Harakahdaily,

12 June 2012

Jun 12: Even with the prospect of the country's top leader Najib Razak being put on a wanted list by international Interpol if he snubs the ongoing French probe on alleged kickbacks in the purchase of Scorpene submarines, Foreign minister Anifah Aman insisted that the matter was not serious.

“This is not a serious matter that we need to follow, and it is being played up by certain parties,” said Anifah as quoted by various news portals.

Anifah (pic) said Najib’s administration had not received any information from the French embassy.

“But if necessary, we are ready to defend ourselves,” said Anifah, contradicting earlier statements by Defence minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who said the French court had no authority to question Malaysian leaders said to be involved in the scandal.

The ongoing tribunal in Paris has listed several top Malaysian officials, including Najib and Zahid.

The French lawyer representing rights group Suaram, Joseph Breham,  had stated that the tribunal had power to subpoena Najib if necessary, and in the event of a refusal to abide by it, to resort to Interpol's help.

Breham had also revealed that Terasasi (Hong Kong) Ltd, owned by Razak Baginda, Najib's close friend who was charged and acquitted for the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu in 2006, had sold highly confidential military documents detailing the Malaysian navy’s evaluation of the submarines to French defence giant DCNS.

Paris Tribunal de Grande magistrates had asked for DCNS’s financial records following complaints lodged by Suaram.

Yesterday, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Pandikar Aman rejected an emergency motion tabled by PKR's Lembah Pantai member of parliament Nurul Izzah Anwar over the alleged sale of military secrets and the commissions paid for the two Scorpene submarines purchased by Malaysia. 

Ulasan: Demikianlah gaya BN memerintah dengan membudayakan kickbacks(rasuah, korupsi). Padahal rasuah tidak di benarkan SAMASEKALI oleh undang-negara (tanya pegawai SPRM) dan agama kita.