Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today denied that his wife, Rosmah Mansor, was involved in the killing of Altantuya Shaariibuu as claimed by blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin.
Najib also said Rosmah had been called in by the police to have her statement recorded following fresh allegations made by Raja Petra in his statutory declaration last Wednesday.“Yes, my wife has given her statement. Everybody will make their statement including the prime minister (Abdullah Ahmad Badawi),” he told a press conference in Parliament after a chairing a cabinet committee meeting on the illegal immigrants in Sabah.
He however did not disclose when her statement had been recorded. Najib and Rosmah have repeatedly denied involvement in the high-profile murder, describing these as nothing more than slander and a concocted story.Asked about the allegations again at today’s press conference, the deputy premier’s immediate response was: “Why are you (media) interested in garbage?”“Everything that is written and claimed is a total lie and fabricated. It’s total garbage. That’s all I want to say, it’s total garbage,” he said.
Asked to comment on the motive behind Raja Petra’s move, Najib replied: “I have no other conclusion except (to say that this) is a desperate and pathetic attempt to discredit and taint my political image.”On whether it might be politically-motivated, he said: “I can’t see any other reason.”The deputy premier welcomed the police probe and hoped that it will be concluded soon.
Raja Petra’s claims
Raja Petra has alleged that Rosmah was among three individuals who were at the scene when the Mongolian national was murdered on Oct 19, 2006.He named the two others as acting colonel Aziz Buyong, who is described as ‘a C4 expert’ and the latter’s wife, known only as Norhayati, who is also said to be Rosmah’s aide de camp.
Raja Petra further alleged that Abdullah, his son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin and a Malay ruler have been briefed on the matter and are fully aware of the allegation against Rosmah.He alleged that Abdullah has handed over a written report from military intelligence on the matter to Khairy for "safekeeping".Abdullah denied yesterday that he had received any military intelligence report over Rosmah’s alleged involvement in the murder, as claimed by Raja Petra in the legal document.Altantuya's body is alleged to have been blown up with C4 explosives at a secondary forest in Puncak Alam, Shah Alam.
Raja Petra has said he is ready to be investigated after the police launched a probe on his claims. Under Section 203 of the Penal Code, he could be charged with spreading false information and is liable, upon conviction, of being jailed up to two years or fined or both.He has already been charged with sedition over an earlier article he wrote on his Malaysia Today website, linking Najib and Rosmah to the murder. If convicted, he faces three years in jail.
Police visited Khairy too
Meanwhile, Umno Youth deputy chief and Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin said the police have also recorded a statement from him last night in the ongoing probe into Raja Petra's claims."I have told the police that I never received any military intelligence report from the prime minister or any other party," he said on the claim that he was holding the report for "safekeeping".
"I told the police that the statutory declaration, its content and allegations against me were made in bad faith," he told a press conference at the Parliament lobby this afternoon.According to him, the statement was recorded at Putrajaya last night and the process lasted about an hour. Khairy said he will discuss with his lawyer whether to take action against Raja Petra."I don't know what his motive is but this matter is based on hearsay and sources. (However,) it was turned into a statutory declaration straightaway (when it involves) such a sensitive case, there is no truth.
"Definitely when there is no truth, it tarnishes my credibility. I see this action as mala fide," said Khairy, whose name was being implicated in the high-profile murder case for the first time.Asked whether he was surprised with the claim, he answered: "Well, from the publisher of The Khairy Chronicle, I'm not surprised."When asked whether the police have also recorded a statement from his father-in-law Abdullah, Khairy said the question should be directed to the premier.Khairy Chronicle refers to a long-running series published in Raja Petra's Malaysia Today in the rise of Khairy.
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