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| A Malaysian Private Eye Recants an Explosive Statement |
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| Written by Our Correspondent | |
| Friday, 04 July 2008 | |
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Complete reversal on charges against Malaysia's deputy prime minister raises questions of political pressure
Related Story: More Twists in Murder Plot
Media in Kuala Lumpur reported that P. Balasubramaniam, a private investigator who once represented accused murderer Abdul Razak Baginda, said everything he had alleged in his July 1 statutory declaration was wrong, then rushed off without taking questions. Local media also reported that he had come under severe pressure after releasing the declaration in the company of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim Thursday.
The investigator did not say who pressured him to issue the initial statement, but his action raised the inevitable specter that powerful political forces are at work over the sensational murder. The allegations against Najib have already undermined his standing as the heir apparent to the leadership of the powerful United Malays National Organization. The prominent Internet journalist Raja Petra Kamaruddin in his own statutory declaration recently flatly stated that Najib's wife had been present at Altantuya's execution. Raja Petra now faces charges of sedition and is scheduled to go on trial in October. Anwar, who himself faces recent allegations of forcibly sodomizing a 23-year-old man who works in his office, was excoriated by pro-government loyalists from the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition led by UMNO after he released the initial declaration. Najib and Anwar are bitter rivals for power who were once allied in UMNO before Anwar was booted out of the deputy prime minister’s job in 1998 and later jailed on sexual perversion charges. Building on opposition gains in the March elections, Anwar has declared his intention to unseat the BN by September. Najib called the private investigator’s statement “a desperate move by Anwar Ibrahim to divert attention from the sodomy allegation he is facing.” For some, the episode reveals rot inside the political system. “They are all damaged, it doesn’t matter, really,” said a disgusted lawyer and political insider in Kuala Lumpur. “I think new leaders will emerge after this mess.” In the new declaration, a sworn statement made in writing as was his first, Balasubramaniam said: "I wish to retract the entire contents of my statutory declaration dated July 1, 2008. I was compelled to affirm the said statutory declaration under duress. "I wish to expressly state that at no material time did (Abdul) Razak (Abdullah) Baginda inform me that he was introduced to Altantuya Shaariibuu by a VIP and at no material time did Razak Baginda inform me that Datuk Seri Najib (Tun Razak) had a sexual relationship with Altantuya Shaaribu and that she was susceptible to anal intercourse. At no material time did Razak Baginda inform me that Datuk Seri Najib instructed Razak Baginda to look after Altantuya Shaaribu as he did not want her to harass him since he was the Deputy Prime Minister." Balasubramaniam’s previous statement was extraordinarily detailed, accusing the deputy prime minister of having had an affair with Altantuya and introducing her to Razak; he also recounted SMS conversations between Razak and Najib on the night of her murder. The statement described the cars that came to take the woman away, related conversations with the accused and described his disappointment at the fact that a detailed statement he had given police about the matter had been censored so completely that nothing of the relationship between Razak and Najib survived. Razak went on trial in June 2007 for Altantuya’s murder along with two of Najib’s bodyguards, Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri and Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar of the elite Unit Tindak Khas or Special Police Action Unit. The 28-year-old Mongolian woman was shot twice in the head on October 19, 2006 and her body dumped in a patch of jungle near the suburban city of Shah Alam before she was blown up with explosives. Balasubramaniam wrote in his first declaration that he wanted the “relevant authorities to reopen their investigations into this case immediately so that any fresh evidence may be presented to the Court prior to submissions at the end of the prosecution’s case.” In that declaration Balasubramaniam, who was hired to help Razak deal with the woman, said he repeatedly tried to get Razak to have Altantuya arrested for harassment, but that he refused to do so. The July 1 statement described in meticulous detail a series of visits by Altantuya and two friends from Mongolia to Razak’s office and home, seeking to corner the political analyst about their relationship and demanding US$500,000 for her services as a translator in a questionable transaction involving Malaysia’s purchase of French submarines.
The document also purported to confirm long-reported rumors that Najib, Razak and Altantuya had been at a dinner in Paris during the time when the submarine transaction was being negotiated. It described conversations with Altantuya, in which she told the private investigator that Razak had even bought her a house in Mongolia.
Related Story: More Twists in Murder Plot Comments (18)
  written by Bijan Kazar, July 04, 2008
I hereby swear on the Holy Quran that I am no Mongolian buttf**ker and that I do not aspire to be Malaysia's next prime minister. I declare that Anwar Ibrahim paid the Mongolian woman to seduce my friend Razak Baginda and bring down the government through endless scandal and baseless allegations. With the Attorney-General and Inspector-General of Police on my side, I'm willing to stake my reputation on my repeated claims that I know no Mongolians and have no desire to meet anyone from Mongolia.
 written by Yeahwho, July 04, 2008
The last few weeks have been an interesting period for Malaysian as we witness a number of dramatic political events unfolding in our Bolehland. It started with the sodomy charges lodged by Dato Seri Anwar former aide En Saiful against him. Anwar fight back by acussing our DPM Najib to have a hand on the issue and even claimed that En Saiful was planted by Umno to discredit him.
Later yesterday Razak Baginda private investigator Mr P Balasubramaniam make a shocking statutory declaration linking Najib to the Altantuya murder case. The declaration was reveal in a packed press conference held by Party Keadilan De Facto leader Dato Seri Anwar which was also attended by Bala's lawyer and few PKR leaders. Later in the Parliament, Najib denied all the allegations and said that the truth will prevail. However in less than 24 hours, Mr P Balasubramaniam made a dramatic turnabout and retracted the first Statutory Declaration with an amended new Declaration with Najib name ommitted. It surely generate more anxiety and intensity to the already volatile political situation in the country. The local share markets, Bursa Saham reacted negatively by tumbling almost 30 points at lunch break. Malaysian are now eagerly waiting for the next drama to unfold...
 written by joefernandez, July 04, 2008
Lawyer Americk Singh Sandhu and Commissioner of Oaths T. Yogeswaran should both make a statutory declaration on the circumstances which led to Private Investigator P. Balasubramaniam making the 1st Statutory Declaration implicating Deputy Prime Minister Najib in the C4 death by bombing of Mongolian model Altantuya.
These two SD’s together with Bala’s first SD will provide the basis to demolish the 2nd SD made by Bala after he was called in by the police for questioning. The statement recorded by the police during their interview of Bala must be made available to the court or a Royal Commission for its deliberation. A comparison of the 1st SD and the 2nd SD shows that the 2nd SD is in fact no SD at all but merely a withdrawal of many statements made in the 1st SD. The entire sordid episode will come to a grinding halt if PI Bala goes Missing in Action. Shouldn’t he be placed in a witness protection programme, preferably overseas, perhaps at Scotland Yard? Indeed, it is rather strange that the Opposition Alliance and lawyer Americk left P.I. Bala to his own devices after the latter's 1st SD. After P.I. Bala's 2nd SD, he has been unavailable to lawyer Americk despite numerous telephone calls. Didn't they think he could be bumped off or compromised in some manner?
 written by Salmah Hassan, July 04, 2008
Dear Sir/Madam,
Honestly speaking, everyone knows that Mr. Anwar Ibrahim or he really like to be call as Saudara Anwar Ibrahim, IS A DESPERADOS. Please Saudara Anwar, just answer the truth without trying again and again to manipulate the whole thing by saying that it is a consipiracy, and try to take the rakyat involve in something they shouldn't. Stop it Saudara Anwar before ITS REALLY TOO LATE.
 written by franky, July 05, 2008
The high-power dramas revealed up to date show that Pak Lah still the better PM for Malaysia after all among the UMNO top guns. But he needs to prove that he can manage the government machineries in a more clean, fair, efficient and transparent way. If he is hand-tied already by all his subordinates, he should step aside for more the rakyat to chose the right person to be PM.
written by joefernandez, July 05, 2008
Salmah, wasn't it a conspiracy ten years ago? What makes things different this time around? The evidence of the 1st conspiracy ten years ago is emerging and compelling. Those convicted along with Anwar are also singing like birds. That's why the 2nd conspiracy emerged to prove that the 1st conspiracy was no conspiracy. Malaysians will soon be urinating on Mahathir's grave, a favourite Malay pastime. Everyone knows that it was Mahathir who hatched the 1st conspiracy and we really don't know yet what is his link with the 2nd conspiracy. Of course, Mahathir will deny it. All congenital and pathological liers do. They really believe in their own lies to be the Gospel truth.
 written by Dicanio, July 06, 2008
While Najib and Anwar engaged in a Do-or-die battle, Abdullah can finally take some breath.
Possibilities of outcome.. 1- Najib loses...Anwar become PM 2- Anwar loses...Najib become PM 3- A tie.........Anwar/Najib become PM 4- Both Anwar and Najib loses...Abdullah hangs on as PM. Now, why wonder the PM has been keeping mum on this...^^
written by joefernandez, July 07, 2008
Najib will never become PM, that much is certain. The question of transfer of power from Badawi to Najib does not arise now. Even if he becomes PM by a longshot, he will be thrown out kicking, yelling and screaming.
I am not sure either whether Anwar will become PM. The MPs in Malaysian Borneo don't want to jump from the frying pan (BN) into the fire (the Opposition Alliance). Their best bet outside the BN is to remain a neutral Third Force in Parliament to support either side to form the government or bring it down. It's good that after years of strong government, the politicians have been finally put in their place. Gone are the days of the tinpot dictators like Razak and Mahathir. The people can breathe a little easier. The economy will find its own level without the politicians poking their noses into everything. The Army should also stay out of politics and not get into the syndrome in Muslim majority countries where the generals take advantage of the situation to "save the country" when the politicians fail to get their act together. This will simply invite the Singapore Armed Forces to take precipitate action in Johore to insulate itself from the spillover effects. There will be an armed uprising along the entire west coast to break away from the Federation and similar movements in Malaysian Borneo.
 written by Mee Sodo, July 07, 2008
Procedure for reporting non-consensual buggery:
a) 1st time: Keep quiet b) 2nd time: Keep quiet c) 3rd time or later: make appt to see your country's Deputy Prime Minister instead of going to police, religious leader or NGO
 written by Najib the Najis, July 07, 2008
why the killer(s) can obtain c4 so easily?
why the the two officers wanted to kill and bomb a mongolian woman that they not even know her? why all involved are some how related to najis, ie his friend or someone worked for him or his family? Why Bala wanted to declare najis involvements? Why Bala's told his nephew that najis was involved?
written by joefernandez, July 07, 2008
Today, I learned something new. If you are buggered, no need to report to the police. Just visit the DPM and ask for his advice. While there, ask for anything else you want, like for example, a scholarship to a university from which you have kicked out.
 written by amos, July 07, 2008
Most people I've met don't really bother about Anwar's latest sodomy allegation or Najib's involvement in the Mongolian murder case. They are more concern on how to survive in this latest economic meltdown. Investors losing money, business heading for collapse, factory facing shut down, workers losing jobs ...
During Mahathir's time, he went against the "market wishes" by bailing out companies and banks, hence many accused him of doing it to bail out his cronies and sons. Crony or no crony, he did bailout Sime Bank and MBF Group, two companies which collapse was nothing to do with politic and cronynism. Thousands of jobs were save. He pegged the Ringgit to stabilize the price of goods and products. Exporters who are mostly Chinese factories towkays feel very grateful with this move. That's why BN received solid support from Chinese voters during the GE. Even Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh were kicked out from Parliament! So ... an idiot here claim, Malaysian will urinate on Mahathir's grave soon. I say ... F you! Most Malaysian dont really give a damn about Anwar or Najib. It's the economy, stupid, stupid, stupid! We are more concern on our family. We are more concern on how to put food on the table. ... and we are sick and tired with the way Pak Lah is managing our country.
 written by E.L., July 07, 2008
Come on people the truth has been revealed. If you count all the comments the majority of the people believe it is all true! Why because the new charge against Anwar is just a rehash of an old charge that was place against him before and was later dismissed. The reality is the only person with real credibility are the opposition. Many members of the opposition have already been falsely detained, arrested, and sent to prison. For what - for speaking the truth about all these injustices, but if you look at the ruling government supporters none have ever been detained, arrested or serve time in prison for their lies, murders, fornication, corruption, stealing, oppression, etc.. Today is the right time for all of this to change. With the support of the honest people in and outside Malaysia whether Chinese, Malay, Indian, Orang Asli, Orang Puti, Orang MANGOLIAN, Orang Iranian, Orang Bangla, Orang Indon, Orang Russian, THE TIME IS NOW TO PROSECUTE THESE PEOPLE ONCE AND FOR ALL AND SEND THEM ALL TO JAIL!!!!!!!!
 written by Ayu, July 08, 2008
It would be more meaningul for Saiful to swear on the koran that Najib is not behind the whole sodomy case. To prove innocence or otherwise of sodomy crime, it would be better to use more scientific method of DNA testing on Saiful posterior.
written by joefernandez, July 08, 2008
People are concerned about getting the politics and their relationships right. A newsvendor who has great difficulties in selling the New Straits Times tells me that she can at last sell at least a few copies of the newspaper daily because of the ongoing political developments in the country.
Meanwhile, the economy will find its own level without the politicians poking their noses into everything. People can manage the economy better than any government can. Last Sunday, we dropped by our usual restaurant for dinner and found the whole place almost deserted. That's a good sign. People are not willing to take any increase in prices. The present situation provides opportunities for businessmen to find their own market niche without doing a number on consumers.
 written by Malaysian2008, July 10, 2008
UMNO don't care about the people's welfare.
UMNO don't care about justice, equality, transparency and fair play. UMNO don't care about rule of law. UMNO don't care about independence of the judiciary, media and civil institution. UMNO don't care about democracy. UMNO will go down in hell
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In a stunning turnaround that raises as many questions as it answers, the Kuala Lumpur-based private investigator who set off a firestorm Thursday by alleging that Deputy prime Minister Najib Tun Razak was involved in the 2006 murder of Mongolian translator Altantuya Shaariibuu today retracted the entire contents of his statutory declaration and said he had made it under duress (Note: 
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Maybe, Bala got a few too many DRINKS before or AFTER the
SD. Who knows? LingamSos once said "after one Drinks I talk and write nonsense" Koret,Koret,Koret.