PKR’s Gobalakrishnan hauled up over mention of Altantuya

By Wong Choon Mei, Suara Keadilan

PKR leader N Gobalakrishnan is the latest to be hauled up by the police over a speech he made at Penanti, where he recounted international news reports that exposed Prime Minister Najib Razak’s links to the murder-and-commission case of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu.

But like Lim Kit Siang, his Pakatan Rakyat colleague who was separately questioned for criticising Najib over an unpopular coup d’etat in Perak, the Indian leader was unbowed by the intimidation.

Instead, he pledged to fight on for the people, calling on voters to rise against the increasing political oppression.

“I think this is a real sign of how desperate Najib must be getting,” Gobala told Suara Keadilan after having his statement taken by the police.

“If we are to be sacrificed for speaking the truth, for upholding the democratic process and believing in a better Malaysia, then so be it. But we will not be silenced nor will we be bullied.”

Like other legends such as Marilyn, Altantuya lives on

In 2006, a 28-year old and pregnant Altantuya was shot in the head twice before her body was blown up with military C4-grade explosives at a jungle clearing in Malaysia to avoid identification.

Two elite cops, part of Najib’s and his wife Rosmah Mansor’s security detail, have been sentenced to hang for her murder. His close aide Razak Baginda was however controversially acquitted of having abetted the murder.

Nevertheless, it appears that the hauntingly beautiful Altantuya is un-placated. Instead of fading, interest in her story has spread like wildfire across the world, with more 19 international newspapers reporting the scandal of her hushed-up murder.

Like US actress Marilyn Monroe, Altantuya has become part of Malaysian as well as international folklore. The key question that remains on everyone’s tongue is still: But who ordered her killing?

Another PKR supreme council member Badrul Hisham Shaharin was also quizzed over Altantuya comments. Police took down his statement on Friday.

“When the prime minister is implicated in such a crime, the country is at risk of being controlled by foreign powers. We risk international condemnation,” Badrul had told a ceramah at Penanti.

“If Najib is serious, how come he hasn’t gone after the international press who have been writing all this about him, his relationship with Altantuya and the RM500 million submarines commission. For us, we are not scared. What are a few individuals like us?,” said Gobala, who is also the  MP for Padang Serai.

Trying to rally support within Umno with bullying tactics

Feeling the heat and loss of political support from inside his own Umno party, Najib has resorted to harsh police crackdowns in a bid to suppress Malaysians, who have voted out his coalition in four of the past five by-elections.

Desperate to cling to power, his latest tactic is to divide-and-conquer the multi-ethnic groups that make up Malaysia. He has been playing up racial issues, re-hashing a plea by 85-year old ex-communist chief Chin Peng to be allowed to come home to live out the rest of his days. He has also been accusing opposition politicians of trying to stir up sensitive sentiments, and then, arresting them under the guise of alleged sedition.

But the writing is on the wall and dissent spreading fast and underground through his own Umno party.

“He is trying to rally the support that he has left in Umno by playing the racial card, that he is the ultimate defender of Malay rights. This is dangerous but he has persisted. It only exposes him, it only shows that he cares more about himself and staying in power rather than what is good for the country,” Gobala said.

“Malaysians must ask themselves, has Najib done anything to show that he recognizes the wishes of voters. Has he set up system and space to allow for a two-party political system. This is serious infrastructure that the country needs and the government-of-the day must build.

“But the answer is No. Instead, he is systematically wiping out the opposition so that only Umno survives. Voters must ask themselves, is this what they want. If not, then they must show the Umno-BN in no uncertain terms.”