1MDB: Rahman Dahlan attacks Edge denial
(NST) – Barisan Nasional strategic communications director Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan has launched a scathing attack on The Edge Financial Daily over its denial that it had used stolen data in its reports on 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB, as well as its rejection that its reports were not politically-motivated.
Abdul Rahman, in response to a statement issued earlier today by The Edge Media Group publisher and group chief executive officer Ho Kay Tat, also raised questions over the publication’s claims that it did not pay for the data.
“Finally, The Edge admitted they got stolen data from Justo, I wonder if the Thais didn’t arrest Justo, would they admit it?
“The Edge said they used the stolen data from Justo because they were dead sure the data were not fakes. How convenient!
“If The Edge is sure the data were not tampered with why then experts said they were indeed,” he said in a series of messages via his Twitter account today.
Abdul Rahman was referring to the arrest of Swiss national Xavier Andre Justo, a former PetroSaudi International director, who had confessed to meeting with opposition leaders and others to sell information which could discredit the Malaysian government, as the documents involved 1MDB.
Justo had told Thai police that he did not tamper with the documents, raising the possibility that the documents were tampered with later.
London-based news portal Sarawak Report has also been thrust into the limelight, with recent claims by its former editor Lester Melanyi that there was a plot to use 1MDB-related documents to overthrow Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Meanwhile, Rahman also dismissed The Edge’s claims that its reports were not politically-motivated. He argued that the newspaper had no issues with “roping in opposition to do their bidding” in their 1MDB report, instead of remaining neutral.
“The Edge said this was not political. Excuse me. I was not born yesterday. Don’t patronize.”
Abdul Rahman said despite The Edge’s “confession”, the matter was still far from over.
“Questions that need to be asked: did anyone pay for the stolen and tempered data? Did anyone complain about not getting paid or being paid late for the stolen data?
“Did anyone then ask someone to pressure the buyer to honour his commitment to pay?” said Abdul Rahman.
Rahman also asked who had tampered with the data, as acknowledged by the Thai authorities.
Earlier today, Ho said he had given his statement to the police over the business publication’s involvement with issues related to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
The company has also handed over documents as well as other items pertaining to the issue.
“On Monday, we handed over documents, printed emails and a hard disk to Bank Negara. Today, the same set was given to the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) of the police.
“I also gave a statement to CCID,” Ho said.
In his statement, Ho explained that The Edge was earlier this year informed of someone who was willing to share information which would shed light on 1MDB’as joint-venture with PetroSaudi International Ltd (PSI).
The publication, he claimed, was shown a large number of emails and document attachments.
He claimed that an IT forensic expert had examined them to confirm their authenticity.
He claimed that some of the information had been used in articles published in the last few months while some were “too sensitive” to be published.
He maintained that there was “no political agenda or conspiracy” in its actions, and noted that none of the articles have been challenged by anyone named in these stories.
Ho said The Edge had tried to obtain a better understanding of the situation in 1MDB by engaging with various politicians and government officials.
Ho also claimed that The Edge was not involved in any theft, did not pay anyone, and did not tamper with any of the emails and documents given.
“In fact, we have secured the data so that no one can tamper with them,” he claimed, adding that this can be independently verified by the authorities.
Last Monday, The Edge had published an article claiming that various transaction between 1MDB and PSI were a scheme to defraud Malaysia.
The business paper is also under investigation for its previous articles regarding the US$1.83 billion (RM6.96 billion) that 1MDB had invested in PSI between 2009 and 2011.
