We should all come clean
Yesterday I gave an interview to Sarah Stewart, the Bureau Chief of AFP in Malaysia. Among the questions she asked me was the unavoidable question about the international scandal linking Dato’ Seri Najib Razak with the murder of Altantuya Sharibuu and with the purchase of the Scorpene submarines.
I told Sarah that in my long experience as a politician the only way to clear one’s name when a scandal has broken out around oneself is to meet it head on in the court of law. The BMF scandal of the 1980’s also had its share of lurid detail. There too a large sum of money and a murder was involved. An unseen hand had woven the threads of the story around me to destroy me politically. But when international newspapers alleged that I was involved in any wrongdoing, I took action against each and every one of them in their home jurisdictions.
I sued The Telegraph and The Sunday Times of the UK, and The South China Morning Post of Hong Kong. I won all three cases, the newspapers published unreserved apologies and printed retractions covering half a broadsheet page each, and I came away with a tidy sum of money for my trouble.
It is safe to say that in the international media, the incoming Umno President and the presumptive Prime Minister is being evaluated through the Altantuya scandal. The UK’s Sunday Times, the International Herald Tribune, the French daily, Libération, The Australian Financial Review, the Far Eastern Economic Review and the New York Times have all published stories raising questions about the link between the murdered young woman, Dato’ Seri Najib, and the gigantic commission paid out by the French company Armaris to a Malaysian company for the purchase of submarines. This is now an international story.
And this story will not go away. With its dramatic details and the alleged involvement of elite Malaysian government operatives, it captures the journalistic imagination. But the story is now connected with an ongoing investigation into the dealings of a major French company. The story is also going to stick around because it is a handy looking-glass into Malaysia’s “increasingly dysfunctional political system.” It implicates our entire system of government, our judiciary, and our press, and it casts a shadow on our ability as a nation to face and tell the truth. Against this backdrop promises of reform ring hollow. The storyline of the New York Times article, for example, is that scandal-clouded succession reveals a once confident young country shaken to its foundations by institutional rot. I cannot say this is inaccurate.
The scandal is bringing shame to the nation and damaging our international credibility. For the honour of the nation, for the honour of the office of prime minister, for the honour of the sovereign institutions expected to endorse, confirm and lend authority to him should he become prime minister according to Umno’s plans, Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak should finally face these suspicions and implied charges, submit himself to legal scrutiny, and come clean on them.
Swearing on the Al-Quran is not the way out. Scoundrels have been known to do that. The truth, established through the rigorous and public scrutiny of the law, is the only remedy if an untrue story has gained currency not just internationally but at home among a large section of the people.
Najib should voluntarily offer to testify at the trial of the two officers charged with killing Altantuya Sharibuu. He could also write to these newspapers and if necessary he should take legal action against them to clear his name and that of our country.
Tengku,
I am sure Najib will do none of what you suggested but instead pretend that he knows nothing about these reports. It will be business as usual for him and UMNO.
Now, what will be implications of us and our dear country? That is what we want to know.
At the rate things are moving, UMNO and Najib are not bothered one bit about this scandal.
perakborn
March 25, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Tengku,
It really stinks to high heavens that we have a future leader who chooses to stick his head in the sand and pretend that it will be business as usual.
It reflects his poor sense of judgement, to begin with,never mind about his character, if he is innocent.
What kind of future the country has with a leader of such flaws and political baggage ?
ocho onda
March 25, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Tengku said “Najib should voluntarily offer to testify at the trial…”.
Well, he hasn’t volunteered to testify, he had made sure that he will not testify, and I don’t believe he will ever testify.
Sorry, no prizes given for whoever guesses correctly the reason why he has not testified and will not be testifying.
ongch
March 25, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Ku LI
How this guy is going to shake of the excesses of his wife and himself from the time they knew each other (while married to other people) until he became a serious PM contender is something I will watch with anticipation and trepidation (not for me but for him). It will take a monumental effort to contain their goings on – sexual and financials. Can you imagine the amount of money that would be required to keep everybody quite? What contracts, projects, tenders have to be kautim in order to contain these possible exposures – anyone of which , if they become public knowledge, will mean no more Sri Perdana? The mind boggles… Najib will be so tied up covering his sordid past that he will not have time to Govern.
husseinabdulhamid
March 25, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Dato’ Seri Najib should not just ignore all the international news reports. It is not only pertaining to his but OUR honour as Malaysian.
It would be a brave move to come clean. As it is now, Malaysia cannot afford but to have a brave leader.
najibmilatu
March 25, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Tengku,
The “night of the long knives” has arrived. Instead of a new dawn what we have is dark omnimous cloud.
Is it too late for Malaysia?
born1957
March 25, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Excellent insight and bold giving yourself as the example. If you are innocent, you can take them on boldly and that you did. Bravo! An example for all to follow.
But will Najib dare do it? Sweeping the allegations under the carpet will not solve the shadow over Najib, neither will swearing on the Quran.
TR, kudos. Hope you will get heard!
http://proud2bmalaysian.wordpress.com/
proud2bmalaysian
March 26, 2009 at 12:17 am
What is our children’s future going to be…very saddening. Why our leaders are sowing hatred among the races?… BELOVED MALAYSIA, I cry for you. will my tears make any difference in the ocean of corruption? Tengku, dont you feel, sad for Malaysians. No race is questioning the rights of Malays. Is it wrong to raise the rights of orang asli’s, almost all the massage parlours in klang valley are full of illiterate native girls of sarawak.Why? poverty.Is it wrong to beg for their betterment? why is that the ruling party twist and turn on the Malay right, issue- when we raise something sensible. Will the mighty kris of the Malays can tickle the evil root of corruption. No way, what is the point of kissing the kris, when you dont respect it? For me those days we carry weapons, for self protection. The symbol in UMNO flag, should also be in MACC. WITHOUT FEAR OF FAVOUR IT SHOULD BE USED AGAINST ALL PARTIES EITHER RULING OR OPPOSITION, WHO ARE INVOLVED IN CORRUPTION. MALAYSIA,,,,,,,I CRY FOR YOU…….
jinjangjoe
March 26, 2009 at 1:44 am
Malaysia badly needs “Role Model” established Leaders & Politicians of HONOUR with Calibre, Maturity & Tolerance without Fear or Favour & NOT Political OPPORTUNISTS….
Have they sincerely & honestly “EXHIBITED & CONDUCTED THEMSELVES” to MATCH the above CRITERIA?
In 1957 Malaya/Malaysia gained our Independence from the “Colonial British Rule” through the citizen’s “concerted” struggle & the Leadership of our Bapa Merdeka/Malaysia Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra & his Malaysian cabinet of TRUE TUANS managing the system of Wesminster style Democracy & with the Rule of Law in 1957,
That was the old UMNO (led by Tunku), MCA (lead by Tun Tan Cheng Lock) & MIC (lead by Tun Sambanthan) under the banner of the “Alliance” government.
Is not that the “Better & Smarter” choice by the Leadership of our Bapak Malaysia Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra & his Malaysian cabinet of TRUE TUANS managing the system of Wesminster style Democracy & with the Rule of Law in 1957….
Through Political Negotiations & Political Solutions leading to a “Bloodless” handover & the Independence of Malaya!
It proves a point that Educated, Intelligent, Smart & Wise leaders do not have to resort to Threats, Militancy & unnecessary Battles with collateral damage & bloodshed to the citizens!
Tunku & his Malaysian cabinet of TRUE TUANS, EARNED the RESPECT, TRUST & SUPPORT of ALL the Malayan citizens.
This great nation, its assets & its Anak Bangsa Malaysia have been abused for the last 40 years by these “Moronic Idiots & their Goons” through “Gutter Politics” & the “Law of the Jungle”.
This son of our 2nd PM has now “Destroyed” his own “MALAY MUSLIM HADHARI” party “UMNO” beyond “Redemption”.
Desperate People, at Desperate Times, will RESORT to Desperate Henious Actions even if it means “Destroying” their “Honourable Family Legacy”, All our Pillars of Democracy, Justice, our Monarchy, ALL our Nation’s Institutions, their own “MALAY MUSLIM HADHARI” party “UMNO”, their Own Kind, this country & its Many People!
Has our PM Wannabe been “Honourable” in carrying out his duties diligently & fairly without “Fear or favour”, even after taking an “Oath” to God Almighty, the King, Sultan, the nation & rayaat?
Through “Devine” intervention, UMNO, its Leaders & their Mercenary Warlords are now “Outdoing & Destroying” each other with their “Power, Greed & Henious Crimes”
The “Opressors” will “FAIL” & God Almighty will ensure “Justice” will be done.
flyer168
March 26, 2009 at 9:03 am
Najib has to answer a lot more. Where is Bala now. He alleged that Najib had something to do with the murder of Altantuya, he also alleged that Najib had an affair with Altantuya.
The travel documents of Altantuya was wiped clean from the Immigration Department.
It should be investigated, but why was it not investigated?
I for one do not want this Mamat from Pekan to be the PM, and he ever becomes PM, he is only the PM for the corrupt UMNO.
suhaimisaid
March 26, 2009 at 11:57 am
Malaysians can only watch and despair.
Besides praying, we can only hope.
Let the World’s collective conscience act.
A diplomatic snub is all that is required
aribabak
March 26, 2009 at 5:11 pm
If UMNO still believe in some old strategies and tactics in a “Sacred Manual Book” left be past leaders, hoping that rakyat will be persuaded again and again in this era of a “world without borders”?! Then I think we will see the end of UMNO’s lifespan real soon.
Well I agree with you Tengku. It is not that difficult to clear oneself’s name. HE knows it. Its just that HE doesn’t want to do it. Only God knows why HE didn’t want to do it.
sakuragi77
March 26, 2009 at 10:16 pm
it is now a ‘wait and see’ attitude that many people in the street is taking.
too many questions with no incoming answers.
what is there left for us to do but wait and see whats coming next.
a hopeless situation? a failed nation?
mokumanamana
March 27, 2009 at 4:43 pm
correction:
Not only the policemen but high ranking official must take responsible so that such incident shall not repeat again.
freedesire
March 27, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Let bygones be bygones. This chapter is over and will never be revisited. Lets move on with life. I have returned the book back onto the shelf in its original place. A book I once read but will never read again.
adeliza79
March 27, 2009 at 10:11 pm
With the World and Malaysia shaking its head at the whole ALTANTUYA Murder and the link to Razak Baginda/Najib Tun Razak and the many unanswered questions over the Submarine multi million commission ( tainted with ALTANTUYA’s Blood )…..Malaysia has lost its respect worldwide.
God help us all.
Tengku Razaleigh,Anwar Ibrahim,Zaid Ibrahim, Nik Aziz,
Kit Siang,Guan Eng, Nizar MB Perak, MP Manickavasagam,
Raja Petra ,Syed Husin Ali ,Perak Speaker Sivakumar dan Pakatan Rakyat TOLONG SELAMATKAN MALAYSIA !
bennymat7
March 27, 2009 at 11:51 pm
We have seen it all before. When Mahathir ruled it was “Bersih, Cekap dan Amanah” and the country went to the dogs.
Next, it was Abdullah Badawi’s “Cemerlang, Gemilang, Terbilang” and the country went into the lokang.
Well it déjà vu all over again. What will Najib’s jingle be? Whatever it is
123victor
March 28, 2009 at 6:38 am
We have seen it all before. When Mahathir ruled it was “Bersih, Cekap dan Amanah” and the country went to the dogs.
Next, it was Abdullah Badawi’s “Cemerlang, Gemilang, Terbilang” and the country went into the lokang.
Well it déjà vu all over again. What will Najib’s jingle be? Whatever it is make no mistake about it: the country will be C4ed.
123victor
March 28, 2009 at 6:39 am
correction: longkang, not lokang
123victor
March 28, 2009 at 6:52 am
Dear 123victor
Your comment dated 28 Mar 09 at 6:52 am is really commendable. Four words, one of them with wrong spelling, one colon and one comma. Just that, yet very commendable.
Look around the blog-spheres and we can see most bloggers simply could not care less about being right. It’s quite easy to forgive if mistakes are unintentional but what about those who deliberately make the mistakes.
Yes, to most people this is small issue but to me being right is important. If one is familiar with doing the right thing and doing things right, doing wrongs would cause discomfort. It is about discipline.
Maybe all these wrong things happening around us resulted from having too many people whom are not concern about right and wrong.
Please correct me if I am wrong. Thanks.
najibmilatu
March 28, 2009 at 5:56 pm
YBM,
Perhaps its too late to do now. If ever to be done, it would have been more appropriate to have been done before he assumed the presidency and premiership. Now it will be doubted because it is highly likely that the people tend to think that all that concerned shall bow down to him for reasons obviously known to everyone.
Again, another sad episode.
Tough times for us to walk tall and proud whenever we are abroad.
abunawas60
March 28, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Tengku,
Let us all SHIFT our “Ketuanan, Racial, Religious, Personal, Selfish, Etc PARADIGM”…
To now think about “OUR GREAT NATION MALAYSIA for ANAK BANGSA MALAYSIA”…
Inline with the original “VALUES” which our Bapak Merdeka Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra together with his first cabinet adopted – From TOP to BOTTOM.
With the impending Financial & Political Tsunami meltdown…
- FORGET about the Politics & what ANYONE is saying…
- NO one can SAVE this nation nor its ANAK Bangsa Malaysia NOW…
- Be PROACTIVE with our God Almighty’s gift of Intelligence, Ilham, Akal, etc to us all…
- Only WE can save OURSELF & OUR FAMILY & every man for himself….
- So please consider repositioning yourselves & family financially (mortgages, Loans, children’s educational expenditures, etc)…
- Rentals cheaper than >50% loans repayments; downsize your mortgages, cars/loans, etc.
- reposition your profession, career, jobs, etc;
- Remember every dollar is precious & “Cash is King”,
- Convert your MR to Euros, AUD, Sing Dollars, etc…Open foreign FD A/cs, etc
- As such…my frenz….“Pleez Fasten your seatbelts tight” to safely rideout this “Double Whammy” Financial & Political Tsunami!
Do keep up your “Prayers” to God Almighty in your own way for “Sanity, Human Rights, Justice, Freedom, Equality & Peace to “Prevail” over “EVIL.”
flyer168
March 29, 2009 at 7:10 am
We read about commissions being paid. We noticed there was no denial on that. We don’t see any MACC investigations on that. We wonder if any income tax is paid on that. We wonder how Razak B. can afford a house in Oxford.
Nothing is coming out clean on the submarine issue and now they are proceeding with more of such contracts.
EVIL TRIUMPHS BECAUSE GOOD MEN DO NOTHING
born1957
March 29, 2009 at 2:39 pm
YBM Tengku,
i’ve been thinking last few days about the latest events that have happened in our country.
in relation to umno, i come to realise that the main reason why you are not gaining support from inside umno is because the current umno is not the pre-1987 umno.
the current umno is mahathir’s umno.
and it is proven by his membership number of 0001.
so, what is there left for us to hope?
nevertheless, i still pray for your wellbeing and the happening of the material time when you are the prime minister of this country. Amin.
Bless.
mokumanamana
March 30, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Interestingly, none of Malaysia’s local newspaper was sued by Tengku Razaleigh. You should have done so to clear your name here.
Then we will have example here so all the future leaders to do the same (if they are really innocent).
Maybe you can enlighten us ,Tengku. Why you didnt sue Utusan,The Star or NSTP?
Teruskan perjuangan, Tengku.Perjuangan harus diteruskan selagi ada hayat di kandung badan dan selagi kepimpinan tengku diperlukan.
farizkb
April 1, 2009 at 11:41 am
“Why you didn’t sue Utusan,The Star or NSTP?”
I tell you why? He just cannot win any civil suit against government linked institutions or an UMNO leader in a Malaysian court.
farizkb,
perhaps you are not familiar with our judicial system.
perakborn
April 3, 2009 at 3:09 pm
I am surprised why TR has not made any post during this crucial time. What’s your take on the UMNO Assembly and the new PM who is apparently rejected by more the 50% of the rakyat.
perakborn
April 3, 2009 at 3:12 pm
I guess, i just got the answer here a moment ago.
http://books.google.com.my/books?id=LclscNCTz9oC&pg=PA767&lpg=PA767&dq=south+china+morning+post+razaleigh&source=bl&ots=yk1wU43c-2&sig=_3_KpC7RYz-GXAmgbzS6PqqUETc&hl=en&ei=0rPZSfC4M9OMkAXXsI2MCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10
farizkb
April 6, 2009 at 4:15 pm
assalamualaikum,
sir,
please make ur comment about by election on 3 state asap,
kangfahri
April 6, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Salam,
Yeah, YB. You are right. Swearing on the Quran is not the way out.
Rather, you should open the Quran and read it. Inside, you will find out how it should actually be done. that is to call all your family members together and the family of the accusers. Each should swear four times that what they say is the truth and that curses shall befell the family of those who lie.
Is Najib willing to do that?
msahibullah
April 7, 2009 at 11:28 am
Dear YBM Tengku,
your comment/writing on the victory of pas and pkr in semenanjung and bn at batang ai sarawak is much awaited for.
what say you.
mokumanamana
April 8, 2009 at 1:11 am
Dear Tengku,
Are you in negotiation to enter Najib’s cabinet? I hope not. You will lose a lot of respect if you do so.
I would understand though if you agree to be part of a non-executive consultative committee. You would be contributing to the government without sacrifing your principles then.
abuluqman04
April 8, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Dear Tengku
There is a huge difference between you and Najib. You are innocent while the majority of us have doubts regarding Najib. You dare to take on the media because of that. Najib, by his reluctance to do so, only cast further aspersions on his character, integrity and credibility (not that he has much anyway).
In all the videos I have seen of his denials of his involvement with the Mongolian woman (whose name cannot be mentioned – BTW, this is an International joke because of the Home office moronic edict, buat malu sahaja) including his swearing on the Quran, his body language says he is guilty as hell. His father was punished with an early death for his sins (we all know what he did). Will Najib also go down similar path? Will he ever be brought before justice either in this life or the next. We know the Almighty will judge him justly and there is no escape so definitely when he passes. At most, he will get is another 3 years at the helm before BN loses power. Is that worth burning in hell for eternity?
jonno8888
April 11, 2009 at 7:18 am
A public verdict on the current individual would have been enough to warrant his departure from the political scene, unfortunately this isn’t the case as tradition holds tight here in Malaysia. I can’t help but look at the undoing of Malaysia’s former Finance and Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The manner in which he was treated seemed to have cast a spell it also tells us that this unusually wicked and spiteful deed cursed every individual institution and our society whereby nothing seems to carry on without the spice of indignity. At least not while the main perpetrator still thinks that he has been absolve by the very institutions that were used in orchestrating this vile and wicked deed and the subsequent mischief. Malaysia have been disgraced and this rot will never leave us rather will dominate us even as we wish to distant the nation from this ignoble culture. Soon PETRONAS and most probably all our international investing arms will be carrying these burdens before the ship really sinks. We have entered dark and murky swarms of deceit murder torture and vindictiveness in settling of scores and political ambitions reminiscent of the house of the Pharos and Julius Cesar where the Roman vomit-mausoleum was to only escape from the greed and mischief before Rome crumbled. We have built our cities on divisiveness criminal behavior we pride ourselves as political intrigue which essentially is borrowed time. Mahathir Daim and most of their colleague and subordinates will feel the invisible arm of retribution before this country takes a turn for the better.
ghifarix
April 12, 2009 at 7:52 am
As if Najis dare to sue the foreign press.
The more stain you had, the more Mahathir
will love you.
In this way that Indian Muslim can control
Najis easily; just like a poodle.
leehamchak
April 12, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Dear Tengku Razaleigh,
New ‘evidence’ is out from Raja Petra:
“Lt Kol Azmi Zainal Abidin. He is the number two in the Special Branch of the Military Intelligence.”
“Nik Azmi Nik Daud. We call him Bull”.
“John Pang confirmed that Lt Kol Azmi told Ku Li the same thing and that the information is reliable.”
Now that your name is mentioned, probably some clarification over this issue? Thanks.
mcwl2004
May 5, 2009 at 12:00 am