Zul Noordin gives Altantuya a new lease of life
In 2009, French newspaper La Liberation revealed that Altantuya had acted as a go-between for Razak and Najib in Malaysia’s purchase of two Scorpene submarines. Najib had then been the Defence Minister. A huge commission of RM540 million was paid by French shipbuilder Armaris to an account linked to a firm controlled by Razak.
Wong Choon Mei, Harakahdaily English Section
Pakatan Rakyat leaders have expressed doubt that the police would be able to get the truth out of sacked PKR MP Zulkifli Noordin, who a day ago claimed that he was offered generous rewards to implicate Prime Minister Najib Razak and First Lady Rosmah Mansor in the Altantuya sex, corruption and murder scandal.
“We hope that Zul will tell the whole truth to the police or that the police will do its best to persuade Zul to tell them the whole truth,” PKR MP for Batu Tian Chua told Harakahdaily.
“However, the chance of either event happening is slim. Remember, the authorities even tried to deny there was such a murder in the first place, so don’t expect much in the way of the truth to appear – not from the authorities or from Zul. He is just one of their new fighter dogs.”
Part of Zul’s ‘package’
On Thursday, Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan – due to retire in September – told the press that they would be recording a statement from Zulkifli, who is the Kulim Bandar Baru parliamentarian.
“This is new information that has been revealed to us and the public. So the police will have to investigate whether it is true and if it is true, the next issue is whether there is any person who can come forward to confirm the facts that have been revealed,” Musa said.
However, Zul’s colleagues who know him well believe that a script has already been prepared for him and the ultimate intention was clear – to restore the jaded public image of both Najib and Rosmah as much as possible.
“We believe this is part of his ‘package’. Obviously, apart from other rewards, Zul must have been asked to say something for Najib and Rosmah,” Dr Hatta Ramli, PAS MP for Kuala Krai, told Harakahdaily.
“But Malaysians should take note. Zul did not quit. He was even worse than Zahrain Mohd Hashim. Zahrain quit because of corruption allegations, Zul was sacked. It is perfectly natural they will do anything to avenge themselves, especially when it is obvious they are already servicing Umno right now itself.”
Renewed interest in Altantuya
But apart from the political wheeling and dealing, Zul’s remarks have stirred a new storm of interest in Altantuya Shaariibuu, a Mongolian translator who was murdered in Malaysia in 2006.
A beautiful 28-year old, Altantutya was allegedly Najib’s mistress before he passed her over to his close associate Razak Baginda. Although Najib has denied ever meeting Altantuya, Razak Baginda has admitted having a sexual affair with her.
PKR supreme council member Badrul Hisham Shahrin, who has complied a book and VCD package entitled Beneath the Mysterious Altantuya Murder, has reported fast diminishing stock.
“It is selling like hotcakes. Everybody wants to know the inside deal all over again,” Badrul told Harakahdaily.
In 2009, French newspaper La Liberation revealed that Altantuya had acted as a go-between for Razak and Najib in Malaysia’s purchase of two Scorpene submarines. Najib had then been the Defence Minister. A huge commission of RM540 million was paid by French shipbuilder Armaris to an account linked to a firm controlled by Razak.
The French newspaper also revealed that Altantuya was murdered when she came to Malaysia to collect her share of the commission, but a jealous Rosmah had refused to give her a cent.
Law colleague denies Zul’s claims
Two former bodyguards of Najib and Rosmah have since been sentenced to hang for killing Altantuya and blowing up her body with military-grade explosives.
However, the trial has left Malaysians dissatisfied as the key question remains unanswered; why would they murder someone they never met before and who was their puppet master?
Meanwhile, the lawyer representing one of the convicted bodyguards, Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri, has also denied knowing any secret deal or offer to link Najib and Rosmah to Altantuya.
“I don’t know anything,” lawyer Hazman Ahmad was quoted as telling The Malaysian Insider when asked if he was aware of the latest claims made by Zulkifli.
Hazman, who took over from Zulkifli in acting for Azilah, said he was not privy to the earlier talks that involved the Kulim Bandar Baru MP.
“I was asked to implicate the prime minister and [his] wife in the murder case. I was asked to get their sworn statements and I was asked to make a sworn statement,” Zulkifli had said in Parliament on Wednesday.
