By Salleh Said Keruak, Communications and Multimedia Minister
The Four Corners programme is another attempt by former Premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad to use Western media as part of his anti-Najib campaign.
Having lost his attempt to topple Prime Minister Najib Razak in Umno and in Parliament, Mahathir had no option left but to exploit other channels like Western media, whom he vilified when in power, and to join forces with political opponents like Lim Kit Siang, whom he jailed when in power.
Unfortunately, the journalists accepted the narrative they were presented hook, line and sinker.
Weaving together a disparate set of events, they interviewed only Mahathir and members of his Anti-Najib Campaign, who have publicly confirmed their intention to overthrow a democratically-elected government.
There is no attempt at balance, and no proof provided to justify the wild claims.
The facts are:
1. Hussain Najadi (AmBank founder) had no involvement with AmBank since the 1980s. The prime minister’s accounts were opened in 2011. By then, Najadi had not been part of Ambank for nearly 30 years, and had no involvement whatsoever in the accounts.
Authorities such as the Royal Malaysian Police have confirmed that Najadi never lodged any reports related to the prime minister’s accounts while he was alive.
The murder of Najadi was comprehensively investigated by the police and the court process has taken place. There was no link whatsoever to the prime minister.
2. DPP Kevin Morais’ employer, the Attorney-General, has publicly confirmed that Morais was never involved in any investigation relating to 1MDB or the prime minister.
Furthermore, Morais was transferred from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to the Attorney-General’s Chambers in July 2014, a year before the investigation into 1MDB was even launched.
It was therefore physically impossible for Morais to have written any 1MDB-related charge sheet.
His murder has been comprehensively investigated by the police, following which individuals were charged and will be tried in court.
One of those charged was investigated by Morais, but the case had no link to 1MDB or the prime minister.
3. Regarding (Mongolian interpreter) Altantuya Sharibuu, the prime minister has made clear that he did not know, had never met, had never had any communication with and had no link whatsoever with her.
A comprehensive legal process has taken place, including police investigations and court trials, including at Malaysia’s High Court, Court of Appeal and Federal Court.
At no point during any of these legal stages was the prime minister implicated, even indirectly.
The two guilty parties have been convicted and sentenced. They were not the prime minister’s personal guards – this is an intentionally misleading allegation that has been used to create false conspiracy theories.
They were members of a police unit that provides rotating security for government officials and visiting dignitaries. The prime minister was not aware of the actions of the individuals until their arrest.
It has been confirmed by the police, public prosecutor and the courts that these three tragic deaths were in no way linked to the prime minister.
As these murders have undergone comprehensive police investigations and the court process, these malicious allegations are therefore an affront not just to the prime minister, but also to Malaysia’s police, judiciary and criminal justice system as a whole.
Mahathir and the Anti-Najib Campaign have been trying to attack the prime minister on these issues for years.
But there is absolutely no evidence of any wrongdoing, and there never will be – because these allegations are entirely false smears motivated by political gain.