Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim has called for a probe on Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for allegedly abusing his power in relation to the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case.Anwar’s call came in the wake of an alleged exchange of text-messages, purportedly between Najib and senior lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah over the alleged involvement of political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda in the case.
“Our allegations against Najib - from the murder of Altantuya, the submarines and Eurocopter (purchase deal) to the SMSes exchanged between him and the lawyer - there is no response, no investigation and no report,” said Anwar, when met in the Parliament lobby today.
“So you find there is a case where a public figure wants to be shielded from any investigation.”
Anwar, also the Permatang Pauh MP, said the latest development will affect the government’s credibility.
He called for open investigation to uncover the truth, saying: “How can we accept a leader who is not prepared to defend himself? (But) I am not suggesting anything except for an open investigation.”
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had said yesterday that he does not believe his deputy would have abused his power.
The SMS exchanges were highlighted on the Malaysia Today portal over the weekend.
Hottest item of news
It once again trained the spotlight on Najib, his wife Rosman Mansor and Altantuya, a 28-year-old Mongolian national who was murdered in Shah Alam in 2006.
The article entitled ‘Abuse of power by the deputy prime minister’ had exposed a series of SMS messages allegedly exchanged between Najib and Muhammad Shafee.
The lawyer had previously represented Abdul Razak (left), a close ally of the deputy premier and who is now on trial for allegedly abetting two police officers in the murder.
One text-message allegedly sent by Najib said Razak “will face a tentative charge but all is not lost”.
This has set off a chain of questions among Malaysians and across cyberspace, where the article has been among the hottest items of news.
Najib and Rosmah have repeatedly denied their involvement in the case, with Najib having sworn twice on the Quran that he was not involved in any way with Altantuya.
More news at: www.malaysiakini.com
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