Did PetroSaudi pay RM15 million for Justo’s silence, asks Kadir Jasin
(The Malaysian Insider) – Datuk A. Kadir Jasin has questioned whether PetroSaudi International paid its former director Xavier Andre Justo RM15 million to “shut his mouth”, following the Swiss national’s arrest in Thailand for allegedly blackmailing the oil company over its deals with 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
Writing in his blog, the veteran journalist said he was puzzled over the money given to Justo, and asked if it was normal for PetroSaudi or Arab companies to dish out lucrative compensation to staff who break laws and regulations.
It was earlier reported that Justo was paid some RM15 million to leave PetroSaudi.
“Logically, any staff that was found to have acted against laws and regulations will be removed without any compensation and if there are any criminal elements, the matter will be reported to the police.
“But Justo, who was accused of acting against company’s rules and regulations, was given a RM15 million compensation. Unless he is very smart when drawing up his contract with PSI, he put in a clause stating that he is to be compensated if asked to leave.
“Or was Justo paid RM15 million to shut his mouth?” wrote the former New Straits Times Group editor-in-chief.
On Tuesday, Thai police announced the arrest of the 49-year-old at a house in the island resort of Koh Samui.
He was reportedly paid some RM15 million to leave PetroSaudi and is now accused of asking for more money in an attempt to blackmail the company over its deals with 1MDB.
Thai media reported that Justo has denied this.
Kadir said it was too early to tell if the information Justo used to allegedly blackmail his former employer was distorted.
He believed Justo would tell the truth to the Thai police and court if he is charged.
After Thai media reported Justo’s arrest earlier this week, PetroSaudi issued a statement saying that it was “relieved” and that the company had been made victim of a “regrettable crime that has unfortunately been politicised in Malaysia”.
