Johor Govt Accepts Resignation of Official Charged With Corruption

 

 Abd Latif Bandi (Photo : The Star/Asia News Network)

Abd Latif Bandi

Abd Latif Bandi

JOHOR BARU - The Johor government has accepted the resignation of Datuk Abd Latif Bandi, who quit his post as state Housing and Local Government Committee chairman.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the resignation letter, dated April 20, conveyed Abd Latif's wish to resign from his official position in the state government.

"On behalf of the state government, I respect the choice made by Abd Latif. The decision is surely based on good judgment, which is the best for all sides.

"I hope that the legal process would be carried out in accordance to existing legal provisions," he said in a statement yesterday.

On Wednesday, Abd Latif, 51, was charged at a Sessions Court here with 33 counts of graft.

In a statement issued through his lawyer, Abd Latif thanked Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar and Mohamed Khaled for giving him the opportunity to serve in the state government.

Read more on AsiaOne

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JOHOR BARU - The Johor government has accepted the resignation of Datuk Abd Latif Bandi, who quit his post as state Housing and Local Government Committee chairman.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the resignation letter, dated April 20, conveyed Abd Latif's wish to resign from his official position in the state government.
- See more at: http://news.asiaone.com/news/malaysia/johor-govt-accepts-resignation-official-charged-corruption#sthash.uUSm9RJG.dpuf

JOHOR BARU - The Johor government has accepted the resignation of Datuk Abd Latif Bandi, who quit his post as state Housing and Local Government Committee chairman.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the resignation letter, dated April 20, conveyed Abd Latif's wish to resign from his official position in the state government.
- See more at: http://news.asiaone.com/news/malaysia/johor-govt-accepts-resignation-official-charged-corruption#sthash.uUSm9RJG.dpuf

Johor Exco Pleads Not Guilty to 33 Counts of Corruption

Source : Free Malaysia Today

JOHOR BAHRU: A Johor state executive councillor and a real estate consultant were charged in the Sessions Court here today with corruption involving RM30.3 million.

Abd Latif Bandi, 51, and Amir Shariffuddin Abd Raub, 44, claimed trial to 33 charges allegedly committed at a bank in Larkin Perdana here, between Nov 13, 2013 and Oct 19 last year.

Latif was dropped from chairing the state’s housing and local government portfolio last month after he took leave following investigations on his son and a special officer who were arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over alleged graft offences.

He stands accused of conspiring with Amir to accept bribes from certain individuals as an inducement to obtain approval for release of a number of Bumiputera-reserved housing lots to the public, and for a discount in the contribution amount to the Johor State Housing Fund for the Eco Botanic Project in Pulai.

Amir allegedly accepted bribes from certain individuals for himself and Latif to allow for any transaction with regard to approval for release of the Bumiputera lots to the public and discount in fund contribution.

The charges are framed under Section 28 (1)(c) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, read with Section 16 (a)(B) and Section 24 of the same Act, which provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

Read more on FMT

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Johor exco man freed on MACC bail

Johor real estate scandal: MACC obtains 7-day remand order for state exco

MACC uncovers Johor land scam

MACC confirms arrest of PKR’s Adam Rosly

Source : FMT News

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has confirmed it has arrested Ampang PKR Youth chief Adam Rosly to assist in an investigation into his “unusual” wealth.

According to MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Azam Baki, Adam is being investigated under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

“He was arrested at 2.30pm today at MACC’s headquarters in Putrajaya.

“We felt there is a need to arrest him to assist our investigation after obtaining other statements prior to this,” he said when contacted.
 
Azam also said MACC would apply for a remand order tomorrow.

“He is now considered a suspect in this case.”

Adam presented himself at the MACC headquarters this afternoon to provide a statement for the second time. The first was on Feb 10.

Adam’s alleged wealth came to public knowledge after Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Md Yunos alleged that he owned a bungalow and a number of luxury cars, despite having held a post in PKR for only a term.

Adam, who is also the special officer to Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin, had denied any wrongdoing and said his wealth came from business ventures and an inheritance.

Source : FMT News

Other news :

16 cops in the dock over bribery

Eight policemen in court over RM12,100

KUALA LUMPUR, Ap

KUALA LUMPUR, April 11 ― The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is prepared to investigate the issuance of the enforcement card (E-card) to illegal immigrants, allegedly not according to the established procedures.
MACC chief commissioner, Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad said the commission would investigate if there were elements of corruption or abuse of power in issuing the E-card if it received a report.
“If there is a report, we would be prepared to look into the report and investigate,” he told reporters after the 6th Convocation for Certified Integrity Officers (CeIO), here, today.
He was commenting on whether there were elements of corruption in the issuance of E-card to illegals without following the procedures of the illegal immigrant rehiring programme.            
Yesterday, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed was reported as saying that the ministry had discovered several Immigration Departments issuing the E-card to illegal immigrants without adhering to the Home Ministry’s procedures.
- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/macc-ready-to-probe-improper-issuance-of-e-card-to-immigrants#sthash.xArrqTTF.dpuf

KUALA LUMPUR, April 11 ― The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is prepared to investigate the issuance of the enforcement card (E-card) to illegal immigrants, allegedly not according to the established procedures.
MACC chief commissioner, Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad said the commission would investigate if there were elements of corruption or abuse of power in issuing the E-card if it received a report.
“If there is a report, we would be prepared to look into the report and investigate,” he told reporters after the 6th Convocation for Certified Integrity Officers (CeIO), here, today.
He was commenting on whether there were elements of corruption in the issuance of E-card to illegals without following the procedures of the illegal immigrant rehiring programme.            
Yesterday, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed was reported as saying that the ministry had discovered several Immigration Departments issuing the E-card to illegal immigrants without adhering to the Home Ministry’s procedures.
- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/macc-ready-to-probe-improper-issuance-of-e-card-to-immigrants#sthash.xArrqTTF.dpuf

Malaysia’s slide towards authoritarianism

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, centre, arrives for an Eid al-Fitr event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 21 July, 2016 as lawmakers demanded he go on leave and be held accountable after US officials initiated action to seize more than US$1 billion they say was stolen from a state investment fund by people close to the premier.
(AP/Vincent Thian)

 Malaysia, once considered a model of liberalism in south-east Asia, seems headed towards overt authoritarianism, with the arrest of Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng. Lim is of one of the few remaining prominent politicians standing against Prime Minister Najib Razak, and is facing what many considered politically motivated charges of corruption.


Lim, who was a member of the Democratic Action Party, has led one of the few regions in Malaysia without a Malay majority, since 2008. His arrest points to a shrinking space for opposition of any kind in the resource-rich nation of almost 30 million people.

“Malaysian society is fast becoming an Orwellian dystopia in which labels such as ‘moderates’, ‘extremists’, ‘national security’ and, ‘sedition’...have become relative, depending on how they are defined by the state,” said Kua Kia Soong, an advisor with the Malaysian Human Rights NGO SUARAM, in a press statement.

The latest move comes more than a year and a half since the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal, in which US$700 million was allegedly embezzled from a government-run development fund into Najib’s bank account, and billions more went missing.

The government denied the charges, claiming the deposit was a personal gift from the Saudi Royal Family. Instead of properly investigating 1MDB, the ruling Barisan Nasional (National Front, or BN) coalition has undertaken a gradual but intensifying clampdown against anyone who has spoken out against the prime minister.

Read more on Equal Times

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Malaysia's new anti-corruption chief aware of daunting challenge ahead

Malaysia anti-graft chief quits job early

Malaysia's anti-graft body loses top 3 men amid 1MDB scandal  

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 8 — Fifty-five per cent out of the 1,902 arrests made over corruption cases in the country from 2013 involved those aged between 20 and 40 years.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Razali Ibrahim said various programmes had been carried out to reduce the involvement of youths in corruption.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was also given the responsibility to get close to the younger generation in an effort to tackle the problem.
“This is a big number. We have carried out various programmes to reduce corruption which must be nurtured through education,” told a press conference after closing the 6th Anti-Corruption Secretariat Convention at International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), here today
- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/majority-of-corruption-arrests-involves-those-below-40-years-says-minister#sthash.75QnHoRV.dpuf

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 8 — Fifty-five per cent out of the 1,902 arrests made over corruption cases in the country from 2013 involved those aged between 20 and 40 years.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Razali Ibrahim said various programmes had been carried out to reduce the involvement of youths in corruption.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was also given the responsibility to get close to the younger generation in an effort to tackle the problem.
“This is a big number. We have carried out various programmes to reduce corruption which must be nurtured through education,” told a press conference after closing the 6th Anti-Corruption Secretariat Convention at International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), here today.
- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/majority-of-corruption-arrests-involves-those-below-40-years-says-minister#sthash.75QnHoRV.dpuf

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 8 — Fifty-five per cent out of the 1,902 arrests made over corruption cases in the country from 2013 involved those aged between 20 and 40 years.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Razali Ibrahim said various programmes had been carried out to reduce the involvement of youths in corruption.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was also given the responsibility to get close to the younger generation in an effort to tackle the problem.
“This is a big number. We have carried out various programmes to reduce corruption which must be nurtured through education,” told a press conference after closing the 6th Anti-Corruption Secretariat Convention at International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), here today.
- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/majority-of-corruption-arrests-involves-those-below-40-years-says-minister#sthash.75QnHoRV.dpuf

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 8 — Fifty-five per cent out of the 1,902 arrests made over corruption cases in the country from 2013 involved those aged between 20 and 40 years.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Razali Ibrahim said various programmes had been carried out to reduce the involvement of youths in corruption.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was also given the responsibility to get close to the younger generation in an effort to tackle the problem.
“This is a big number. We have carried out various programmes to reduce corruption which must be nurtured through education,” told a press conference after closing the 6th Anti-Corruption Secretariat Convention at International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), here today.
- See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/majority-of-corruption-arrests-involves-those-below-40-years-says-minister#sthash.75QnHoRV.dpuf

Malaysia's new anti-corruption chief aware of daunting challenge ahead

PUTRAJAYA: Newly appointed chief of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Dzulkifli Ahmad said in a press statement on Monday (Aug 1) he is "aware and conscious" of the daunting challenge that awaits him.

"It is my sincere hope that the MACC and I will continue to have the cooperation and support from all parties, towards our efforts to eradicate corruption in Malaysia," Dzulkifli added.

Arriving promptly at the commission's headquarters at 8am Monday morning, he was welcomed by MACC's top officials led by Deputy Commissioner (Management and Professionalism) Datuk Seri Mohd Jamidan Abdullah.

His appointment is effective from Aug 1 till Jul 31, 2021.

Dzukifli said he plans "to lead the MACC in its mission to spearhead anti-corruption efforts in Malaysia by being fair, firm and trustworthy".

He served in the Attorney-General's Chambers as the National Revenue Recovery Enforcement Team director. His predecessor, Abu Kassim Mohamed, will now serve as an integrity consultant at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM )'s Law Faculty.

Source : Channel News Asia

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Malaysia's anti-graft body loses top 3 men amid 1MDB scandal 

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NAJIB HAS DELIBERATELY 'RACIALIZED' 1MDB SCANDAL - REPORT

Datuk Seri Najib Razak has sought to frame the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal in ethnic terms, and the move threatens to "widen ethnic divisions", said geopolitical intelligence firm Stratfor in its latest analysis on the embattled prime minister.

Noting the lack of explanations by Najib on the state investor’s debts and the RM2.6 billion "donation" in his bank accounts, Stratfor said Najib took his cue from Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad whose own rise was fuelled by exploiting Malay and indigenous fears.

Najib and Umno had tacitly supported the Malay nationalist “red shirt” movement, whose rally in September was prevented by police from storming Petaling Street, a popular business district in Kuala Lumpur dominated by Chinese Malaysians, Startfor noted in its analysis.

Najib, who is also the Umno president, defended the rally and said it was a reaction by Malaysia who felt the Bersih 4 gathering had challenged the dignity of the Malays and the country’s leadership.
Stratfor said there appears a recognition that Malaysia's fundamental demographic make-up was changing, most notably among the Chinese.

“Since 1983, their share of Malaysia's total population has dropped more than 8%, and birth rates among ethnic Chinese are by far the lowest of Malaysia's main ethnic groups.
“For political purposes then, rather than wooing back minority voters, Umno will increasingly work to secure its base and keep the opposition divided along ethnic lines,” it said.

This would create a "widening of ethnic divisions" that would challenge the core integrity of the country, Stratfor said in its analysis titled "Malaysia's eventual fall from grace".

Full article on malaysia chronicle

However, Obama refused to comment on the investigations against Najib‎, saying that he did not touch on ongoing probes even on the US soil.
"I don't comment on investigations happening back in the US, I'm certainly not going to comment on any investigations or legal proceedings that are taking place in a foreign country when I'm a visitor.
- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/obama-says-discussed-fighting-corruption-with-najib#sthash.DkDVzq8j.dpuf

US President Barack Obama said he raised the importance of transparency, accountability and fighting corruption with Datuk Seri Najib Razak, even as the Malaysian prime minister is embroiled in the 1Malaysian Development Bhd (1MDB) and the controversy surrounding RM2.6 billion in his private accounts. - See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/obama-says-discussed-fighting-corruption-with-najib#sthash.DkDVzq8j.dpuf

US President Barack Obama said he raised the importance of transparency, accountability and fighting corruption with Datuk Seri Najib Razak, even as the Malaysian prime minister is embroiled in the 1Malaysian Development Bhd (1MDB) and the controversy surrounding RM2.6 billion in his private accounts. - See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/obama-says-discussed-fighting-corruption-with-najib#sthash.DkDVzq8j.dpuf

Najib Razak 1MDB Corruption Scandal - US Investigating Goldman Sachs

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Justice are looking into Goldman Sachs for its actions as an adviser to the 1Malaysia Development Fund Berhad (1MDB), the country's state fund that has been embroiled in scandal since July, when hundreds of millions of dollars were traced from the fund to the personal bank accounts of Prime Minister Najib Razak. Goldman Sachs has served as an consultant to the group, and now U.S. authorities are gathering information "to determine if the matter will become a focus on any investigations into the 1MDB scandal," a spokeswoman for the FBI told the Wall Street Journal.

 At this point, the bank does not face any allegations of wrongdoing, and authorities were reviewing Goldman Sachs as part of a broader examination. The FBI began investigating 1MDB for money laundering in mid-September.

Goldman Sachs served as a consultant to 1MDB when the fund was launched by Najib in 2009 with the purpose of transforming Kuala Lumpur into a global financial nexus. It advised the fund on three acquisitions, including one in 2012 that ended up costing the fund about $740 million. In that purchase, Goldman Sachs helped with financing through its Principal Funding and Investment desk, which effectively used Goldman's own funds to pay for the deal. Goldman also earned $600 million simply in fees to help 1MDB sell $6.5 billion in bonds, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Read more on International Business Times

Najib Razak at risk of isolation amid Malaysian corruption scandal

Malaysian prime minister needs to prepare himself as rivals within his party jostle to outmanoeuvre him.

Allegations surrounding the movement of $700m into Najib Razak’s personal bank account has gripped Malaysia. Photograph: Olivia Harris/Reuters

Malaysia is a country in turmoil. The country’s prime minister, Najib Razak, is alleged to have performed daylight robbery with the depositing of $700m (£456m) into his personal bank account.

The FBI and police in Hong Kong have launched investigations as the worst crisis of Najib’s career unfolds. Swiss authorities have frozen millions of dollars in bank accounts linked to 1Malaysia Development Berhad, the state development fund at the centre of the corruption allegations.

And now the nation’s powerful sultans have broken both their silence and their non-political stance to call for a swift investigation into 1MBD.

Najib has denied taking any money and has launched a campaign to disarm his critics. Cabinet ministers who have openly doubted him have been sacked, the media have been suppressed and outspoken politicians have been repeatedly chastised.

Read more on theguardian

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1MDB: The case that's riveting Malaysia

Top Malaysian Graft Buster Says the Government Is ‘Meddling’ in Massive Corruption Probe

Malaysia’s 1MDB Delays Loan Payment Again

1MDB: The case that's riveting Malaysia

Malaysians are no strangers to money politics but the high-profile players and the amount of funds allegedly involved in the so-called "1MDB scandal" have gripped the nation.


It stems from Prime Minister Najib Razak's strategic state fund called 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) set up in 2009 when he came into office. The fund is meant to turn Kuala Lumpur into a financial hub.

It started to attract national attention when it missed payments for the $11bn (£7.1bn; €9.9bn) it owes to banks and bondholders.

Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has said the fund has taken on too much debt and lacks transparency. He has also criticised Mr Najib's family's "lavish" lifestyle, which has been regularly discussed in the local press.

Then the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported it had seen a paper trail that allegedly traces close to $700m from the troubled fund to Mr Najib's personal bank accounts.
Mr Najib is now facing calls to prove his assets are legal.

Read more on BBC.Com

Top Malaysian Graft Buster Says the Government Is ‘Meddling’ in Massive Corruption Probe

The ongoing scandal has galvanized popular hostility toward the government

For weeks, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has sat at the center of the largest corruption scandal in the country’s history, besieged by allegations that he personally pocketed around $700 million from a state development fund called 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). Now, Najib’s government is being accused of obstructing an independent investigation into the scandal.

“There is — apparently — some meddling going on,” Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim, who chairs the advisory board to the anticorruption commission investigating the 1MDB case, said in an interview with the BBC. “I think that … there has been interference, and I think it is unfortunate. It was ill-advised on the part of the government to have made all these changes while the investigation was ongoing.”

Read more on Time.Com

Malaysia’s 1MDB Delays Loan Payment Again

KUALA LUMPUR—Malaysian state-owned investment firm 1Malaysia Development Bhd. missed another deadline to repay a $550 million loan over the weekend, although people familiar with the matter say it is edging closer to sealing a financing arrangement with local tycoon Ananda Krishnan to help pay off the debt.

Source : WSJ

Court Upholds Behrang Assemblyman’s Acquittal for Corruption

Behrang assemblyman Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi and two other men walked free today after the Court of Appeal here today upheld their acquittal for corruption.
 
A three-member panel led by Court of Appeal President Tan Sri Md Raus Sharif unanimously dismissed the prosecution’s appeal and upheld their acquittal.

Justice Raus said after considering the submissions forwarded by the prosecution and defence, the court was of the view that the High Court judge did not make any error in law when making his decision and that he had given his reasons for acquitting them.

“There is no reason to alter the decision of the High Court,” said Justice Raus, who presided on the panel with Justices Datuk Mohtaruddin Baki and Datuk Mohd Zawawi Salleh.

The prosecution was appealing against the acquittal of Jamaluddin (picture), 57, former Perak Tengah district councillor Zul Hassan, 51, and businessman Fairul Azrim Ismail, 35, and also former Bota assemblyman Usaili Alias, 61 (on four corruption charges).

The Court of Appeal panel also upheld the decision of the High Court to acquit Usaili on four charges of receiving bribes. However, he is not cleared yet as he has been ordered by the High Court to enter his defence with respect to three other corruption charges.

Outside the court, Jamaluddin told reporters that he accepted the decision of the court.
On what he would do after this, Jamaluddin said he would continue to serve the people in his constituency as long as the Perak state assembly was not dissolved.

He said he was still an independent Perak state assemblyman and had not decided whether to join Barisan National, adding that he also needed to think on whether to contest in the election.
On April 23, 2010, the Ipoh Sessions Court acquitted the four and Changkat Jering assemblyman Mohd Osman Jailu without their defence called.

They were charged with 10 counts of accepting and asking for bribes over a RM180 million housing development project in Seri Iskandar near Ipoh.

They were alleged to have committed the offences at the office of the Perak state secretary,  Restoran Kluang Station Cafe in Medan Istana, Bandar Ipoh Raya here, and Aquarias Restaurant & Bar, Level 4, Summit Hotel, Bukit Mertajam, Penang, between August 14 and 19, 2008.

Zul and Fairul were also slapped with charges of sex bribes when they allegedly accepted the sexual services of Chinese nationals at Sri Sayang Apartment (Seaview Agency) in Jalan Batu Ferringhi, Penang, on August 14, 2008.

A sixth person, former Perak Development Corporation technician Ruslan Sahat, was also charged but died in late 2008 and charges against him were dropped.

The Ipoh High Court on April 22 last year dismissed the prosecution’s appeal and upheld the acquittal of Jamaluddin, Zul and Fairul but ordered Osman to enter his defence.

The High Court also upheld Usaili’s acquittal on four charges of receiving bribes. However, the High Court ordered Usaili to enter his defence with respect to three other corruption charges. 

— Bernama

Source : The Malaysian Insider

Malaysian PM Caught Up In Murder, Bribery Scandal

THE plot has all the trappings of a B-grade movie: the murder of a glamorous Mongolian socialite amid allegations of high-level bribery, blackmail, betrayal and political cover-up.

But these are real-life events, and they could set back the chances of Malaysia's ruling coalition in an election that Prime Minister Najib Razak must call by midyear.

Mr Najib denies involvement but the allegations will not go away. The internet in Malaysia is running hot with allegations by a disaffected businessman, Deepak Jaikishan, who is well connected in the ruling United Malays National Organisation.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak. Photo: AFP

They relate in part to the alleged cover-up of the murder of 28-year-old Mongolian fashion model and translator Altantuya Shaariibuu in a patch of jungle in the Kuala Lumpur suburbs in 2006.

The second part of the controversy is driven by an inquiry in France into a complex money trail left by Malaysia's $US2 billion purchase of two French-Spanish built Scorpene submarines in 2002 while Mr Najib was defence minister.

Ms Shaariibuu worked as a translator in the latter stages of the deal negotiations.

Businessman Abdul Razak Baginda, one of the PM's best friends and a policy adviser, was Ms Shaariibuu's lover. Photo: Reuters

The link between the two events is a Ferrari-driving businessman, Abdul Razak Baginda, one of Mr Najib's best friends and policy advisers, who was the director of the Malaysian Strategic Research Centre.

Mr Najib, who is preparing to contest his first election since being installed in power by his party in 2009, denies ever meeting Ms Shaariibuu or having any link with her. The government denies any wrongdoing in the submarine purchases.

But it was two of Mr Najib's bodyguards who dragged Ms Shaariibuu from a car, knocked her unconscious and shot her twice in the head on October 19, 2006, according to court testimony. She had begged for her life and apparently that of her unborn child.

The killers then wrapped her body in C4 plastic explosives obtained from the military and blew her up, ensuring the foetus was destroyed along with the identity of the father. For good measure, they erased her entry into Malaysia from immigration records.


The Scorpene submarine story has been tumbling out since 2002 when Mr Najib ordered them from French ship builder DCNS.

Two French investigating magistrates are looking into so-called ''commission'' payments of about $US160 million into companies reportedly set up by Mr Baginda. Documents have been seized from the DCNS offices in Paris.

Ms Shaariibuu, who spoke several languages, became Mr Baginda's lover after they had met in Hong Kong. Stunningly beautiful, she had been married to a popular Mongolian singerand to the son of a famous Mongolian fashion designer.


Ms Shaariibuu admitted in a letter found after her murder that she had been blackmailing Mr Baginda, who had jilted her after they had travelled through Asia and Europe together.
She reportedly had wanted a $US500,000 cut to remain silent about her knowledge of the deal.

Ms Shaariibuu was abducted outside Mr Baginda's house, where she was said to be causing a scene. Her murder was eventually uncovered following continued pressure from her well-connected family and the Mongolian embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

The two bodyguards were convicted of murder in 2009 but have claimed they are scapegoats and are appealing against death sentences. Pleading with a court not to execute him in February 2009, Sirul Azhar Umar described himself as a ''black sheep that has to be sacrificed'' to protect unnamed people.

''I have no reason to cause hurt, what's more to take the life of the victim in such a cruel manner,'' he said.

''I appeal to the court, which has the powers to determine if I live or die, not to sentence me so as to fulfil others' plans for me.''

A judge sensationally dropped an abetting a murder charge against Mr Baginda in 2008 before any evidence was heard and he is believed to be living in exile in Britain with his family.

Among several claims made by Mr Deepak - a carpet dealer - to opposition and independent websites are that he interceded to have a private detective change his 2008 sworn declaration that Mr Najib had had a sexual relationship with Ms Shaariibuu. 

The Prime Minister has repeatedly denied any relationship with Ms Shaariibuu, calling it a ''terrible lie''.

Often sensational claims and counter claims in the case have been barely reported in Malaysia's government-controlled mainstream media.

The Malaysian human rights non-government organisation SUARAM, whose approach to a magistrate in Paris in 2010 prompted the French investigation, has complained of official harassment.

But the claims are hot issues on opposition and independent websites, led by the Hong Kong-based Asia Sentinel online magazine, which published confidential files on the case last year and whose editor, John Berthelsen, has doggedly pursued the story for years.

Malaysia, with a population of 28 million, has an internet penetration of more than 62 per cent, one of the highest in south-east Asia.

Some commentators in Kuala Lumpur, including Wong Choon Mei writing in the Malaysia Chronicle, have speculated that 59-year-old Mr Najib could be forced from office before he gets to call the election. Jittery powerbrokers in UMNO fear that if he remains head of the coalition, they may lose to the opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, and his Pakatan Rakyat coalition.

There is infighting in UMNO, which has shared power in the country for more than 50 years, as the latest opinion polls show Mr Najib's approval rating has fallen to its lowest level in 16 months.

Wong wrote in the Chronicle on January 7 that UMNO watchers believed former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad had decided to throw his weight behind Deputy Prime Minister, Muhyiddin Yassin, and effect an 11th-hour change in leadership, although many have cautioned that such a move could boomerang and create even greater infighting.

But Mr Najib, the son of Malaysia's second prime minister, has emerged unscathed by the prosecution of his bodyguards and is publicly ignoring the French inquiry and Mr Deepak's claims as he presents himself as a reformist, abolishing several restrictive laws and implementing a program to bolster unity among ethnic groups.

Malaysia's economy has fared well and the country is considered by the Work Bank to be an attractive place to do business. On January 8, Mr Najib denied rumours he had suffered a minor stroke due to the pressure of the allegations by Mr Deepak, saying he is healthy. ''So don't listen to the blogs, please,'' he said.

Analysts say the election will be the strongest ever challenge to UMNO's rule. Mr Najib has called the coming election ''a defining point for the destiny of the people and country''.

Source : The Age, Australia

Khir Toyo gets 1 Year Jail for Graft

Former Selangor Mentri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo was found guilty by the High Court here Friday of knowingly purchasing two pieces of land and a bungalow in Section 7 at a much lower price than its original value from Ditamas Sdn Bhd director Shamsuddin Hayroni in 2007.

He was sentenced to one year in jail from Friday and Justice Mohtarudin Baki ordered his land and bungalow be forfeited.

However, the judge granted him him a stay of execution of jail time and forfeiture of the properties pending an appeal after his lawyer M. Athimulan made the request.

The lawyer said the appeal would be filed Friday evening.

The properties involved were purchased at RM3.5mil although Ditamas had bought it for RM6.5mil on Dec 23, 2004.

The court found that the defence had failed to raise reasonable doubt in the case.

Justice Mohtarudin said in his ruling that he found the key witness Shamsuddin not an accomplice of the accused.

(Shamsuddin was initially charged with abetting Dr Khir but later had his charge withdrawn. He became a witness for the prosecution).

Justice Mohtarudin said he had no reason to reject Shamsuddin's testimony as he had observed his demeanor throughout the trial.

Source : The Star

Related News : Khir extended no favours, High Court told

Prosecution closes case in Dr Ling’s trial over PKFZ

The High Court set Dec 12 and 13 to hear submissions after the prosecution closed its case Thursday in the trial of former Transport Minister Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik over the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) case.

The prosecution offered 113 witnesses to the defence, among them two former prime ministers Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and several Cabinet ministers.

Defence lawyer Wong Kian Kheong told the court that he intended to call Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as a witness in the event Dr Ling is called to make his defence because the prime minister had chaired a Cabinet meeting in 2007 in place of Abdullah when he (Najib) was the deputy prime minister.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah said the defence would have to make an application to call Najib as a witness and it was up to the prime minister to decide whether to turn up as a witness.

The prosecution closed its case today after having called 25 witnesses, among them several former ministers, investigating officers, former senior officers of the transport ministry and former Port Klang Authority general manager O.C. Phang.

The case, before Judge Datuk Ahmadi Asnawi, began on Aug 1 and involved 173 exhibits.

Dr Ling was first charged on July 29 last year in the Putrajaya Sessions Court and was allowed bail of RM1mil after he pleaded not guilty.

Wong then applied to the court to have the case transferred to the High Court, arguing that it was a high profile case.

Dr Ling, 68, is charged with cheating the government by not disclosing to the Cabinet an additional interest rate of 7.5percent per annum on the purchase price of the land for the PKFZ project, which had been fixed at RM1,088,456,000 by the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH) based on RM25 per sq ft inclusive of the coupon/interest rate.

He also faces two alternative charges, of cheating and intentionally omitting from the Cabinet that the 7.5percent per annum was an additional interest rate on the land price.

The offences were allegedly committed at the fourth floor of the Prime Minister's Office, Perdana Putra building in Putrajaya, between Sept 25 and Nov 6, 2002.

The trial of Phang on three counts of criminal breach of trust involving RM254.85mil was postponed until after the disposal of Dr Ling's trial.

During the trial, Dr Ling was seen in the company of his wife, Toh Puan Ena Ling, and their two sons, Hee Leong and Hee Kiat. - Bernama

Source : The Star

Related News : Nor Mohamed changes testimony over support letter

Nor Mohamed changes testimony over support letter

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Depart­ment Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop has changed his testimony in the High Court over the issue of a “letter of support” by former Transport Minister Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik by agreeing with the defence that it was not a guarantee letter.

Nor Mohamed, who was former Finance Minister II, agreed that Ling’s letter of support (for bonds issued by Special Port Vehicle Bhd (SPVB)) could no longer be interpreted as a letter of guarantee in light of Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail’s testimony at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) inquiry into the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project on Aug 12, 2009.

He said this during his cross-examination by Dr Ling’s counsel Wong Kian Kheong yesterday.

In the PAC report, Abdul Gani had given his legal opinion that Ling’s letter, dated May 28, 2003, did not amount to a guarantee letter as “it did not give any assurance that the Government would ensure that the Port Klang Authority (PKA) would fulfil the repayment amount, which is the balance consideration price including a 7.5% annual interest”.

Referring to the extracts of Cabinet minutes dated June 27, 2007, Nor Mohamed agreed with the defence that the meeting had considered the land purchase issue closed because it had received Cabinet approval in 2002, and what it was concerned with was how costs which had not yet received approval would be handled.

Later, during re-examination by deputy public prosecutor Tun Abd Majid Hamzah, Nor Mohamed said the Finance Ministry had taken the letter of support to mean a guarantee letter as the Malaysian Rating Corporation Berhad (MARC) had given the bonds an AAA rating, thinking that the letter was a government guarantee.

“So we thought the letter had elements of being a guarantee,” he said.

The issue of the guarantee letter came up last week after witness Mohd Izzuddin Yusof, who was formerly with MARC, testified that the letter of support from Dr Ling had been instrumental in securing the top-tier rating for the bonds.

On Monday, Nor Mohamed had stressed that only the Finance Ministry could issue a letter of support with the Cabinet’s approval.

Dr Ling has claimed trial to an amended principal charge of deceiving the Government by not exposing to the Cabinet an additional interest rate of 7.5% annually in the land purchase for the PKFZ project.

He faces two optional charges of cheating the Government by not revealing to the Cabinet facts pertaining to the interest rate, and deceiving it into believing that facts on the land bought at RM25 psf and 7.5% interest were certified and agreed to by the Valuation and Pro­perty Services Department when he knew there was no such consent.

Dr Ling is said to have committed the offences at the Prime Minister’s office in Putrajaya between Sept 25 and Nov 6, 2002.

Source : The Star

Related News : Retrospective approval for PKFZ land purchase due to rise in costs, says minister

Retrospective approval for PKFZ land purchase due to rise in costs, says minister

The Cabinet made a retrospective approval for RM4.6bil from RM1.088bil due to the increase in development costs for the purchase of land for Port Klang Free Zone Project (PKFZ), the High Court heard.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, who testified at Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik’s trial yesterday, said there was no amendment or revocation of the purchase in the 2007 Cabinet retrospective approval.

He also said some ministers had reservations over the project but admitted that he did not have any record of the disagreements. The decision to purchase PKFZ in 2002, he said, was a “collective Cabinet decision”.

Dr Ling, 68, has claimed trial to cheating the Government in relation to the PKFZ project.

The former transport minister also claimed trial to an alternative charge for similar cheating, which carries a lesser penalty.

Dr Ling is alleged to have deceived the Cabinet into giving its consent over the purchase in Pulau Indah according to the agreed terms between the Port Klang Authority and Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd, the turnkey contractor for the PKFZ project.

He is also accused of hiding facts and to have cheated when he was aware that the project could cause losses to the Government, which he was bound by a legal contract to protect.

He is accused of committing the offence at the Prime Minister’s office in Putrajaya between Sept 25 and Nov 6, 2002.

Earlier, Nazri agreed to a suggestion by Dr Ling’s lead counsel Wong Kian Kheong that the Cabinet gave its approval in 2002, although it was informed that the earlier amount of RM1.088bil did not include interests.

Nazri also agreed to all relevant minutes of Cabinet meetings on the question of whether the PKFZ land could be purchased or acquired.

He agreed that the prime minister had the power to bring any matters for discussion during the Cabinet meeting although it was outside its agenda.

To a question, Nazri said he was aware that the Cabinet had made a decision on matters upon getting a motion by a prime minister without any memorandum.

He agreed that the Cabinet had the right to make any decision without a memorandum.

He also agreed to Wong that among the reasons which caused the Cabinet to expedite the decision over that purchase of land was to make Port Klang the best port for the interest of the country, to face competition from two ports in Indonesia and Thailand and a study which showed that the project was viable economically.

Questioned by lead prosecutor Datuk Tun Abd Majid Tun Hamzah, Nazri said he had no doubts over the content of the minutes of meeting on the land for the project.

Meanwhile, former finance minister II Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop testified that he prepared a memorandum on June 22, 2007 over the purchase of the land.

Replying to Tun Abd Majid, he said he prepared it as the Cabinet had approved RM1.088bil for the purchase of the land, but the actual cost was RM4.6bil.

Therefore, said Nor Mohamed, who is now a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, the Finance Ministry felt an approval from the Cabinet was required.

He said there were also several matters of support issued by the Transport Ministry.

The trial before Justice Ahmadi Asnawi continues today.

Source : The Star

Related News : PKFZ: Nazri tells court some ministers opposed project

PKFZ: Nazri tells court some ministers opposed project

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz told the High Court here Monday, that many members of the Cabinet were against the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project.

This happened during a meeting in 2002, he said, adding that although there were no notes on it in any document or minutes of the meeting, he could still recall that many ministers opposed the project but, in the end, agreed to it for fear of it becoming a big issue.

"At the meeting, when the matter (PKFZ project) came up, many said that the project might not succeed. At that time, we did not want to interfere because the land price was high. RM1bil was a huge amount then (2002).

"Many knew the land was sold for RM25 per sq foot (psf)," he said when cross-examined by lawyer Wong Kian Kheong, who represented former Transport Minister Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, who is charged with cheating the Malaysian Government.

Nazri, who was then the Entrepreneur Development Minister, said that some ministers felt that something was wrong with the project. Questioned by Wong whether he raised any objection to the Nov 6, 2002 Cabinet decision to purchase the land in Pulau Indah for the PKFZ project, Nazri, who is the 20th prosecution witness, said he brought up the matter, but did not protest.

Dr Ling, 68, is charged with cheating the government by not disclosing to the Cabinet an additional interest rate of 7.5 percent per annum on the purchase price of the land for the PKFZ project, which had been fixed at RM1,088,456,000 by the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH) based on RM25 per sq ft inclusive of the coupon/interest rate.

He also faces two alternative charges, of cheating and intentionally omitting from the Cabinet that the 7.5 percent per annum was an additional interest rate on the land price.

The offences were allegedly committed at the fourth floor of the Prime Minister's Office, Perdana Putra building in Putrajaya, between Sept 25 and Nov 6, 2002.

At the early stage of proceeding, Nazri told the court that to his understanding, the PKFZ project cost RM1.088bil, including interest.

He said the cabinet agreed to give a soft loan of RM4.6bil to the Port Klang Authority (PKA) in 2007 to save the PKFZ project.

"Five years earlier (in 2002 before the loan was given in 2007), we (cabinet) did not want the government's money to be involved because they (PKA) promised to use internal funds," he added.

Nazri said that had he known the project involved government funds in 2002, he would have opposed the project implementation.

When re-examined by deputy public prosecutor Datuk Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah, Nazri said that the decision on the PKFZ project was made by the Cabinet and not by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Meanwhile, former Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said that in 2005, the Transport Ministry had requested for financial assistance, but it was not approved. The hearing before Justice Datuk Ahmadi Asnawi continues Tuesday.

Source : The Star

Related News : Kuala Dimensi bonds issuance above board, says banker

Kuala Dimensi bonds issuance above board, says banker

Bonds issued by Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) through Special Port Vehicle Bhd (SPVB) had met all the legal requirements, and received the approval of the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC), the High Court was told.

Testifying in the trial of former Transport Minister Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, who is facing charges over the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) issue, former Malaysian International Merchant Bankers Bhd (MIMB) senior vice-president Ismadi Isenin agreed that the MIMB had found the bonds “commercially viable”.

Cross-examined by Dr Ling’s counsel Wong Kian Kheong, Ismadi also agreed that the SC had not pursued any case against SPVB for breaching any rules in their bond issuance, and that the trustees of the bonds also did not have any complaints on the matter.

MIMB, who is the primary subscriber of the bonds, bought the bonds at RM1.31bil, and then sold them to 17 secondary subscribers at RM1.35bil, making a profit of RM40mil.

MIMB was also the lead arranger and facility agent of the bonds.

Earlier, Mohd Izzuddin Yusof, formerly with the Malaysian Rating Corporation Berhad (MARC), testified during his examination-in-chief by DPP Adilla Ahmad that a letter of support from Dr Ling had helped secure a top-tier rating for the bonds raised.

“In my opinion, without the letter of support, it is possible that the rating given by MARC would be lower than AAA because the letter had a high weightage in determining the bond rating,” he said.

The bonds were issued to raise funds for the purchase of the 404.5ha land in Pulau Indah land, meant for the PKFZ project.

Dr Ling has claimed trial to an amended principal charge of deceiving the Government by not exposing to the Cabinet an additional interest rate of 7.5% annually in the land purchase for the PKFZ project.

He faces two optional charges of cheating the Government by not revealing to the Cabinet facts pertaining to the interest rate, and deceiving it into believing that facts on the land bought at RM25 psf and 7.5% interest were certified and agreed to by the Valuation and Pro­perty Services Department when he knew there was no such consent.

Dr Ling is said to have committed the offences at the Prime Minister’s office in Putrajaya between Sept 25 and Nov 6, 2002.

The hearing before Justice Ahmadi Asnawi continues on Monday.

Source : The Star

Related News : PKFZ: Chan claims trial to three amended charges

PKFZ: Chan claims trial to three amended charges

Former Transport Minister Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy claimed trial at the KL High Court on Friday to three amended cheating charges in relation to the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal.

Under the amended charges, Chan is accused of deceiving former premier Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi into approving Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd as the turnkey developer to carry out the transshipment hub, with his support as the then Transport Minister.

He is accused of hiding the fact that the development cost would be financed through a bond by Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd via Transshipment Megahub Bhd.

He is said to have committed the offence at the Prime Minister's Office in Putrajaya between Feb 24, 2004 and March 29, 2006.

High Court judge Justice Zamani Abdul Rahim set trial from April 2 next year.

Source : The Star

Related News : Govt fails in bid to seize assets in case related to PKFZ scandal