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Leaked SMS new attack on Najib |
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Monday, 13 October 2008 06:11am |
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©The
Straits Times, Singapore (Used by permission)
KUALA LUMPUR: Barely a week has passed since Prime Minister
Abdullah Badawi announced that he would hand over to his deputy Najib Razak, but
the knives are already out for the PM-in-waiting.
An article, Abuse Of Power By The Deputy Prime Minister, published on the
popular Malaysia Today website over the weekend, showed an alleged
exchange of text messages between Datuk Seri Najib and top lawyer Muhammad
Shafee Abdullah from Nov 8 to Dec 2, 2006.
The text messages purportedly showed Mr Najib making constant inquiries about
the high-profile murder trial of Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu. He has
repeatedly denied allegations linking him to the woman and her murder.
The publication of the messages comes days after Mr Abdullah officially named Mr
Najib as his successor. The messages revolved around political analyst Abdul
Razak Baginda, a close associate of Mr Najib, who has been charged with abetting
two police officers in the gruesome killing of the 28-year-old Altantuya. Mr
Muhammad Shafee represented Abdul Razak before he was charged with abetting the
cops. No reason was given when Abdul Razak's counsel was replaced.
One of the messages allegedly sent by Mr Najib said Abdul Razak 'will have to
face a tentative charge but all is not lost'.
The Malaysia Today article said that some questions had to be asked if
the text messages had indeed been sent by Mr Najib prior to Abdul Razak's
charge.
When contacted yesterday, an aide of Mr Najib refused to comment.
While the details of the article and the authenticity of the SMS exchange could
not be immediately verified, questions may again be raised over the handling of
the case and Mr Najib's alleged role. He has, in the past, been dogged by
rumours over the case, and has even sworn in a mosque in August that he did not
know Ms Altantuya.
The opposition has tried to use the allegations against him and the government
and this development will provide them with fresh ammunition when Parliament
reconvenes today.
Today will also be Mr Najib's first test as Finance Minister as he faces de
facto opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who was himself a former finance
minister, in the government's budget debate.
Datuk Seri Anwar and other opposition party leaders have been quite vocal about
their lack of confidence in Mr Najib's ability to steer the country through the
global economic turmoil.
Mr Anwar said the proposed budget did not address the country's economic woes in
a responsible manner, The Star reported.
Raja Petra Kamarudin, who runs the Malaysia Today website, is currently
on trial for sedition for having allegedly implied that Mr Najib and his wife
Rosmah Mansor were involved in Ms Altantuya's death.
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