Vet sources before hunting those who allegedly met Justo, IGP told

(Malay Mail Online) – The police must establish the credibility of their sources before they go after Malaysian lawmakers accused of meeting a former PetroSaudi International executive to buy leaked documents from him, said DAP MP Ong Kian Ming.

The Serdang MP said that the Inspector-General of Police must take the precaution after a former journalist who accused the Sarawak Report website of forging documents on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) admitted to being paid for the claim.

“The IGP should make sure that the source for that information is credible or not (sic),” Ong told Malay Mail Online in a text message.

“The fact that Lester Melanyi was reported to have been paid for his so called ‘testimony’ should give cause for the IGP take investigate the credibility of this source. Do not jump so quickly to act when all the facts have not been properly investigated.”

Fellow DAP MP, Teresa Kok, questioned the differing standards applied to the investigation for opposition leaders and Datuk Seri Najib Razak in his alleged involvement on the 1MDB, accusing the IGP of “lukewarm” efforts to investigate the prime minister.

“In this case, he seems so very excited and energetic to go after opposition figures and genuine whistleblowers based on an unconfirmed confession from a seemingly rogue character arrested in Thailand.

“Why the double standards as always, Mr.IGP?” the Seputeh MP said.

Yesterday, IGP Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the police would start calling in the opposition leader suspected of meeting Xavier Justo and buying confidential documents linked to its now aborted joint venture with 1MDB after the man revealed everything to the Thai police.

A Thai police investigation revealed that Justo had met with an opposition leader to sell the documents and also denied doctoring the documents, insisting the originals were sold to a certain Europe-based media outlet.

Earlier today, DAP MP Tony Pua challenged Barisan Nasional ministers to name him outright as the politician who met Justo, following repeated allusions.

Justo, who is believed to the source of leaked documents on PSI’s US$1.2 billion (RM4.5 billion) joint venture with 1MDB that fell through in 2009, was arrested at his home in Koh Samui last month for alleged blackmail and extortion and is to be tried in Thailand.