Speaking to FMT, Umno Information Chief Annuar Musa said he was not surprised with SR’s article which had claimed that the decision to deny Justo’s request was made due to external pressure.

“We know SR’s background. It is run by certain foreigners whose intentions are clear.

“They will cook up anything which serves their purpose,” he said, adding those who knew SR’s background would view its reports with reservation.

The Umno Supreme Council member added that SR was not genuine and impartial, so its credibility was questionable.

MCA’s Ti Lian Ker also said he was not surprised as SR had been repeatedly exaggerating its stories.

“It is obvious they have a political agenda,” he told FMT, adding that many educated people selectively believed what they read on SR, out of sentiment.

This, he said, was cause for concern as it indicated that Malaysians were still susceptible to lies and fiction, rather than facts.

Gerakan Youth Chief Tan Keng Liang said SR should have done its homework and checked the relevant laws before publishing its article.

“From what has been reported, it seems that the Thai law is clear cut,” he told FMT.

He added that if UK-based Clare was so concerned about human rights and justice, she should start with her own backyard, rather than trying to interfere in matters in other countries.

Yesterday, Thai Justice Minister Gen Paiboon Koomchaya was reported as saying the decision to deny Justo’s request to serve the remainder of his jail term in his country Switzerland, was in accordance with Thai law.

Justo, the former PetroSaudi International employee, has nine months left on his sentence, but the transfer treaty law states that anyone requesting to transfer the remainder of his jail sentence must have “not less than one year” left in his jail term.