Leslie Lau's vicious half truth on French court "inquiry" of Thales

It is an open secret that Malay Mail Online's Managing Editor, Leslie Lau is Lim Guan Eng's adviser and DAP media strategist. 

He is the former editor of The Malaysian Insider before splitting ways to join Dato Siew Ka Wai at Malay Mail. During Tun Abdullah Badawi administration, he was with then NSTP GEIC's Dato Kalimullah as hatchet man and spin master. He has not stopped being so at Malay Mail. 

In his latest report, he intentionally employed the half truth propaganda strategy to seize on the public ignorance of French court system in his desk's reporting of court enquiry on the Malaysian submarine purchase from DCN (now Thales) in 2002. 

Malay Mail Online report claimed that sources close to the inquiry told AFP that Thales is being charged by the  French court for complicity to a bribe in the sales of the Scorpene submarine to Malaysia. 

He then went on to implicate Dato Najib as Defense Minister and Dato Dr Abdul Razak Baginda as his associate who was doing millitary consultancy work. 

Debunking Scorpene Scandal Part IV: Dramatising the Court

Le Tribunal de Grande Instance de Paris

The propaganda strategy by those conspiring to pin Najib with the alleged Scorpene scandal issue were using several prong attack.

It begins with Dr Kua Kia Soong questioning military spending and strangely the military untrained socialist could question the submarine as overpriced and by that acute logic, claim the existense of bribery and kickback.

The propaganda's media strategy used Hong Kong-based Asia Sentinel as leading newsbreaker, which in turn is expanded and sustained further by major pro-opposition news portal and opposition politicians, to be propagated by pro-opposition social media.

Altantuya’s murder is not within the jurisdiction of the French court, but they kept playing it for sensational and emotional impact and news worthiness. It serves as a decoy because the French Investigating Court will not have any charge to pin on anyone, French or non.

Asia Sentinel could only spin as they begin by touching on DCNS’s other allegations of corruption in arms purchases by other countries. As general election draws near in 2012, more news emanated from Asia Sentinel. SUARAM and PKR played up the issue with more lies and deception.

Initially, it was to dramatise the court process to get public attention, lie if necessary.

Debunking Scorpene Scandal Part 1: Sensationalising Altantunya

Many have formed their own opinion and perception on the submarine issue that became hot and sensational arising from the brutal death of Altantunya in 2006. How much is fact and how much is mere fiction, perception and guesswork. But the corruption allegation on the submarine need to be addressed.

Until the "opposition", which includes their NGO arm, SUARAM and their French lawyers can prove their allegations, no amount of demands and call on the BN Government can make them say more.

"Paul Mason shall sell no wine before it is time," as the tagline in a famous commercial with the great filmmaker Orson Welles. They will reveal their card when the time is right.

With some knowledge and information on the inner working of the defense industry; the whose with who, who wants what, and who gets what, Nurul Izzah's allegation that the €36 million to Terasasi from Thales International Asia (Thint Asia) is proceed for selling of Government military secret is laughable. Probably it has nothing to do with Scorpene.

It is funnier because many personalities involved with the submarine are those we know personally. We learned from them of the problems faced in building the submarine, thus it made all these allegations by opposition look preposterous.

This blog intend to debunk each issue by issue using information from their sources. We will reveal the inconsistency in their allegation, and the ever changing stories. There are allegations they made that has quiet down because there is no proof.

For those so confident that there is a case against Najib, the Government side knows what is in the cards of the "opposition", especially with the leak of the 153 documents, but the opposition and even the judges do not know what the government have.

So let the games begin!

Sinking Suaram to the ocean abyss

The question is why now when the submarine issue has already been debunked and Suaram has lost their momentum despite attempt to resurrect the submarine purchase issue.

Better late than never, the New Straits Times released today an exclusive on Jasbir Singh Chahl. His name was being bandied about by SUARAM in their biggest lie to claim that the French court had subpoena him.

There was no such subpoena. Investigation is still on-going. And, there is no charges filed against anyone yet.

SUARAM needed to make that lie to deceive the public into thinking there is progress in court and it is not a lie as accused by government. It was a ploy for public support and donation.  

Read our last year's posting here, here and here.

No trial means no trial, stupid!

With the speed of lightning, SUARAM through Tian Chua's Malaysia Chronicle responded supposedly using their French lawyer, William Bourdon to disclaim report of French leading prosecutor, Yves Charpenel claim there is no trail.

However, his disclaimer does not dispute what was said by Charpenel.  He was merely saying the two investigators called "investigation judges" in France, Roger Le Loire and Serge Tournaire are still investigating and no trial announced yet.

No trial means no trial laa. Only when there is a charge, then one can say here is a case. Not all investigation turn out to have a case and charges made. Especially not for bonafide project management and logistic service provided by Perimekar.

Bloody liars! Stupid!

Now the submarine boo boo

In the process of writing about the lie in the Liar's daughter, Nurul Izzah's allegation on the radar system of our airports here, we discovered she is quite a compulsive liar and most of her allegations in public are factually and logically deficient.

Recently, she claimed one of the strategic partner of Felda Global Venture Holdings Berhad (FGVH); namely Louis Dreyfus Commodity pulled out totally from the IPO.

Deputy Minister PM Department, Dato Ahmad Maslan denied the pullout but they refused to believe him. In actual fact, Louis Dreyfus reduce their shares to 0.5% from the initial plan of 2.5% but confirm their strategic tie-up.

According to their website here, Louis Dreyfus Commodities "is a world leader in the processing of agricultural products and the merchandising of a diverse range of commodities."

They are "number one cotton and rice merchant worldwide and ranks in the top three in orange juice, wheat, corn and sugar and in the top five in oil seeds and coffee." Isn't that a benefical partnership for the world's third largest producer of palm oil?

It shows again that Nurul Izzah lied.

She also lied in her allegation that Perimeker were paid €36 million (RM142 million) by DCNS for selling confidential documents on the evaluation of Scorpene submarine by the Malaysian Navy. The money was paid into Razak's company, Terasasi in Hong Kong.

Back when the opposition was led by Lim Kit Siang, they were ethical, and well respected for their ability to stir up the Government with their factful revelation and sound argument. WHat happened to them now?

Since led by liar Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the opposition has fallen into a state of decline. Their allegations are poorly substantiated, void of fact, sensationalised with lies and made-up stories, and illogical arguments.

Many versions of €36 million

On this but another of Nurul's lie, she claimed in late May that the national defence secrets was sold to the French Submarine manufacturer DCNS by Razak Baginda in response to French lawyer Joseph Breham revelation.

Was Nurul Izzah aware that the same €36 million raised by SUARAM and their French lawyer was before this claimed as payment made by Perimeker to a Malta-based company Giffen. They made it out as though Perimeker had paid that amount to Giffen and eventually finds its way to Terasasi.

On another occasion, they, as in to group SUARAM, their French lawyers and opposition particularly PKR into one, claimed that the €36 million was a payment made to Terasasi from Thales Asia or Thine and not DCNS. Thine together with Armaris later had stake in submarine manufacturer, DCNS.

None of the allegations are backed with documents or some sound facts. It kept changing.

At one time, they claimed that the payment made to Perimeker for the whole €114 million (RM574 million) were commission to Razak Baginda.



Since 2007 during the Ijok by-election, Anwar claimed he has documents to show that Najib via Razak received RM500 million in commission for the two submarine purchased. [See You Tube at 4:50]

Anwar kept repeating the same allegation as recent as in Kelantan several weeks ago. But he has yet to produce the documents.

Recently, they claimed that there is a fax document to claim that Prime Minister, Dato Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak who was then Defense Minister requested bribe for USD1 billion for the €1 billion (RM5.7 million) purchase of two submarine.

Forget about documental proof which is likely to be non-existense, does that make sense?

Simple denial sufficient

With a storyline from them that kept changing and not backed by documental proofs, do not complain if it is being simply denied by the Minister.

Read the denial by Malaysian Insiders report yesterday:

-----------------------

No secrets leaked, says Mindef

By Shannon Teoh
June 27, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 — Putrajaya has insisted no information was leaked on the evaluation of the RM7 billion Scorpene submarines bought in 2002 despite court documents claiming the contrary in an ongoing French inquiry.

The defence ministry (Mindef) said in reply to an adjournment speech by Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar that it did not have any information on allegations that secret documents were sold by a company linked to political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda to a French defence firm.

“To the best knowledge of the ministry, up to now there is no information detected to have been taken out of Malaysia.

“The defence ministry has no information on the allegations of so-called secret documents sold by Terasasi (Hong Kong) to Thint Asia (Thales International) said to be worth €36 million (RM142 million),” Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told Parliament early this morning.

He also denied any knowledge of dealings between the two companies, the latter of which having formed a joint-venture with French defence giant DCNS to build the two vessels, as the government had no dealings with either company in the purchase.

“The statement by the Lembah Pantai MP that the two Scorpene submarines were purchased from Thales International are untrue,” the Bagan Datok MP said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who was defence minister at the time the deal was sealed, has for years denied allegations of wrongdoing in the purchase.

There has been no evidence linking him directly to the alleged corruption in the deal and his supporters say the opposition is behind efforts to revive the issue just ahead of an election that must be called within a year.

French lawyer Joseph Breham, who is acting for activist group Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) in the ongoing inquiry in Paris, said last month the data allegedly sold was purportedly for “commercial engineering” works

Abdul Razak, a former think-tank head who was at the centre of a 2006 investigation into the murder of Mongolian translator Altantuya Shaariibuu, is listed as a director of Terasasi with his father, Abdul Malim Baginda.

The company was previously incorporated on June 28, 2002 as Kinabalu Advisory and Support Services Ltd, according to the Hong Kong Companies Registry.

Suaram filed a complaint against DCNS in a special French investigative court at the Paris Tribunal de Grande Instance in April.

The opposition has described the alleged leak of defence secrets as an act of treason, demanding an investigation by the government.

But Zahid discounted any such move by the Najib administration, saying the procurement was done according to existing guidelines and it would not seek access to documents from the inquiry.

“The Malaysian government understands there is no hearing in France regarding the Scorpene submarines. Therefore, there is no question of the government asking to be observers,” he said.

He refused to elaborate when approached by The Malaysian Insider later, saying “that’s the official statement.”

Nurul Izzah, who is PKR vice president, later told reporters that the minister was “technically correct” as the case had yet to enter a full hearing and was currently still a judicial investigation.

Malaysia paid RM6.7 billion in 2009 for the two submarines of which RM574 million was earmarked for co-ordination and support services for Perimekar Sdn Bhd, owned by Abdul Razak.

Abdul Razak is being sought as a witness in the French case.

-----------------------

Nurul admitted the Minister is technically correct. No proof, next no talk la Nurul Izzah the liar's daughter turned liar.

She said to wait for the full hearing. but will Nurul stop repeating the lie until it is proven and presented in court? Maybe not.

Talking about full hearing in the French Court, that will take 2-3 years. Will there even be a hearing if Perimeker turned out to be genuine logistical support for the project?

They will not believe it but what if we say that they other side is aware that Perimeker hardly make any money or profit?

SUARAM under pressure

The latest revelation had all the 153 documents, compiled by police which Suaram claimed they sighted but could not get a hard copy of the documents to proof their various allegations, is released out in the Asia Sentinal here.

We suspect that SUARAM is under terrible pressure after being accused for lying and spinning but have no proof to show that someone from their side may have leaked all the documents to Asia Sentinel.

Recently SUARAM was under much heat from the accusation of lying when they announced on June 15 at their fund rasing dinner that Jasbir Singh Chahl will subpoenaed but no such instruction was received by the local French Embassy.

Since it is not a trial, there is no subpoena but call of witness. The local Embassy will pass the order to the Malaysian police to serve the appearance order. Do Malaysian need to comply?

According to Suaram here, they have legal means to get witness to cooperate.

SUARAM is merely working on hunch that there is possibility the Malaysian purchase of Scorpene submarine is laden with corruption like another case in September 2008 involving Pakistan.

Gérard-Philippe Menayas, former chief financial officer of DCN mentioned Malaysian submarine contract in his memorandum in the Karachi case.

“Since the entry into force of the OECD Convention regarding the fight against corruption in September 2000, only two contracts have been signed; the first with India, and the second with Malaysia in 2002. These two contracts are the result of commercial actions undertaken prior to the OECD Convention.

Now that the documents are all released, could SUARAM care to pinpoint which documents prove their various allegations and stories. That way our translator can do his work to double check too. Our translator is pretty good. He talks French even in his sleep.

How about SUARAM first prove to us the story of the Malta-based company, Giffen claimed to be used to channel money. Show me the money!

The submarine story that is intended to be inextricably linked to Altantunya's murder have been the game played by SUARAM on Najib. That political intention is so obvious.

The submarine deal was signed in June 2002. In court in the trial against Azrilah and Sirul, it was stated that Razak got to know of Altantunya in 2004, way after the submarine deal was signed.

There were claims that she can speak 6 languages and was a millitary dealmaker or translator in the deal. The opposition spin stories that she was allegedly killed for demanding her share of the commission.

Now it turns out that she does not speak French and only speak Russian. During the murder trial, it was proven that she can't be a translator. Even her English as proved by her letters was child-like and pathetically horrible. Heard it from one of the lawyer ourselves.

Altantunya's death was being repeated by SUARAM for sensational value. And the political motivation was obvious as SUARAM only raised Najib's name to be "subpoena" as witness.

Why only Najib?

Tun Dr Mahathir was Prime Minister till October 2003. Tun Abdullah Badawi was subsequently the Prime Minister till 2009. He held the defense post towards the end of his premiership and before that. They could have drag Tun Dr Mahathir and Tun Abdullah but only Najib.

There are many cases of ever changing stories and wild speculations in SUARAM's politically motivated game to smear Najib.

The lies are out there, the truth kept tight

While we happened to have some privy knowledge in this so-called Scorpene Scandal, there is no need to divulge new fact and the truth.

Revealing their lies from their sources is sufficient and we intend to debunk it one step at a time.

The police documents already showed there is no proof of entry by Altantunya into France. However, Asia Sentinel had pictures of her in France without any date, and other information. There are claims that the picture came from Dato Syed Abdul Rahman the Mongolian ambassador.

There are those that claimed she may have entered through other EU country but it seems Mongolian requires VISA to enter.

When asked of this, one of the editor of The Mole told us that SUARAM's Cynthia Gabriel made up excuse that she may have entered on diplomatic visa. That is not possible and it shows she could not substantiate SUARAM's own story here.

She is caught lying again like her alleged subpoena of Jasbir Singh and many other lies.

For a long while, the story of Scorpene only gets revealed in pro-opposition portals; Asia Sentinel, Free Malaysia Today and Malaysia Today, Malaysiakini, Malaysia Chronicles and The Malaysian Insiders.

It is a surprise as to why no coverage from International News Agencies including France own AFP if this is scandal and a big international story.

After the revelations by MT here, FMT here and Asia Sentinel here seemed to change tone together, Reuters here reported with a less convincing tone on the corruption.

Reuter reported it as mere trouble on the Prime Minister before the election. They quoted SUARAM's lawyer answered that they couldn't prove the corruption money goes to UMNO as they alleged. The role of Terasasi is not known.

Hopefully the Government will comment on that later. Even Thales have been quiet facing up to all these wild unsubtantiated allegations. Hopefully they will clarify matter too. So do Razak Baginda.

Our suspicion is the Government is keeping quiet because SUARAM and their lawyers is repeatedly shooting their own feet that they do not need to explain anything. This is similar reaction by Zahid's easy denial.

The Government could be waiting for the right time to do so. And the opposition can only press on to swing the ball back to the Government side of the court. They may have realised recently that they are caught and the Government have something up their sleeves.

SUARAM questioned

Most blogs are only answering based on the opposition's sources. That is dangerous for SUARAM.

In the meanwhile, SUARAM is getting exposed as an organisation funded by George Soros, NDI (an American organisation with link to CIA covert operation) and acknowledged as part CIA organisation.

Their strong links with opposition is too obvious that Cynthia Gabriel has no solid answer than mere rhetorics. [Read Apanama here.]

Another big issue on SUARAM is how did they paid for the lawyers before the fund raising dinner and how they will maintain these French lawyers till the two to three years is over?

How much more dinners and fund raising to pay these expensive lawyers and SUARAM's own lawyers too? A SUARAM dinner could raise maybe RM100,000 but the legal bill could come in the millions.

One after another of their lies and propaganda is being exposed. Time is not on their side. All it takes is one 'bomb' and the reputation of SUARAM is ruined forever.

As said by YB Zaharin Hashim from Bayan baru, "The more information comes out, the more the opposition and Suaram will have to answer."

Debunking Scorpene Scandal Part III: Questioning Defense Spending

Since the exposề last week that Altantuya never went to France and the true status of the investigating court in France, the SUARAM side went on overdrive to defuse and repel one attack after another.

Before that they were taken aback by the simple rebutals from the pro-Government side questioning the logic of their allegations and some revelation of court procedures. Slowly but surely, pro-Government side is raking in the table but still keeping their trump cards close.

There has not been any new allegations from SUARAM. They realised that some segment of the public will begin to demand proof and no more stories and speculation or mere raising of doubt and suspicion.

This Part will expose the way they play their propaganda. It doesn’t matter if a snitch within the pro-UMNO bloggers side is working for the opposition, particularly Tian Chua to sabotage our clarification effort.

The chap, going around making dubious claim within the UMNO circle as being part of an intelligence outfit, is only heavy on rhetorics but factually deficient. 

Debunking Scorpene Scandal Part VI: Truth on Terasasi

Razak Baginda in trying times

When this blog started this Debunking Scorpene Scandal series in Part 1, we set out to:

... debunk each issue by issue using information from their sources. We will reveal the inconsistency in their allegation, and the ever changing stories.

We may have certain information to refute their allegation but we decide to only use their source and publicly available information on the Internet. Most of the speculation and allegation on Scorpene were politically motivated to bring down Dato Najib. That way we will prove it is only lies, speculations, and illogically made up stories. 

Our objective, like the French investigation court, as taken from SUARAM website, is:

... to investigate the claim of corruption for a payment amounting to €114 million made as commissions from DCNS to Perimekar.

 If that payment was corruption, someone must be charged. In Part V, we showed SUARAM press statement was reported as that:

 “… the French authorities will look into is the corruption or commission allegedly paid by DCN,” said Joseph Breham ….

… the murder of the Mongolian woman is beyond the jurisdiction of the French authorities.

In the video in Part V, SUARAM’s French lawyer, Joseph Breham reiterated that “the French court interest and jurisdiction is on DCN and other French outfit but not any Malaysian entity” and whether bribes was paid by them on and possibly on “French soil." And it include any contravention of OECD Convention on Bribery.

No Altantuya and no indictment of Dato Najib. That will be done by the Malaysian court. Trust me, if there is conviction in France, our court will have to act and we will make sure they do. Or we will help organise Bersih 7...

Debunking Scorpene Scandal Part V: Distorting Leaked Document

In the last two Parts, much have been mentioned about Hong Kong-based news portal, Asia Sentinel. It was playing the covert operation of Dow Jones’s Far Eastern Economic Review (FEER) publication towards South East Asian countries, particularly Malaysia but in a small way. .

It so happen that Asia Sentinel’s editor and writer on the alleged Malaysian Scorpene scandal issue is a former FEER writer, John Berthelsen, 74.

He goes way back to the time another of Dow Jones publication, The Asia Wall Street Journal was banned from distribution in Malaysia for three month in September 1986. Two reporters wee asked to leave and he was one of them. [Read in this AP news archives here.]

It takes someone with an ex-to-grind towards Malaysia to write obsessively only on the death of Altantuya and alleged Scorpene corruption scandal. Another obsessive was Malaysiakini writer, loonie Susan Loone who then was writing from Bangkok in her blog. When the event was unfolding, she had something like 60 postings on Altantuya and Scorpene.

As the leading writer for the propaganda, Berthelsen played the role of feeding news and spin ideas for the local pro-opposition news portal and politicians to work on. The mechanism can be seen in Part IV here on how they dramatised the information judiciaire (judicial investigation) process by juges d’instruction (investigating judges).

Before retreating into guerilla strategy, they were lying and distorting the investigation documents in their hands and later leaked by Asia Sentinel. At first SUARAM claimed that they have not seen the documents. Later SUARAM said it was in the possession of their lawyers, but they could not obtain copies. Who were they kidding when news after news was coming out of Asia Sentinel?

It was SUARAM and their lawyers tipping off Asia Sentinel. From March 2012, Asia Sentinel began to unveil new materials, other than repeating the same boring bit on Altantuya's death, Perimekar Euro 115 million alleged kickback and DCNS's other corruption allegations.

Conveniently, the time was right to drum it up into an issue. The general election is expected to be soon. 

Debunking Scorpene Scandal Part II: Perimekar, a bonafide operation

Malaysian crew on the Scorpene submarine

Our plan was to debunk the alleged Scorpene Scandal step by step, issue by issue and lie by lie. That way, each aspect of the alleged scandal is addressed and fully understood.


However, the rapid succession of response by their master spinner or easier described as liar, Tian Chua, to dispell Zahid's denial in Parliament made us ponder on the manner they raised continuos doubt and suspicion. Since they are the accusing party and responding every answer with accusing questions, the burden of proof should be placed upon them.


For almost a year prior to the leak of the documents last week, SUARAM and PKR politicians have been demanding answers on series of allegations and speculation related to the police investigation. Their motive is  to raise doubts and suspicions among the public.


They raised questions in Parliament, demand MACC to investigate, poke on certain personalities to answer them, and one wonder whether they demand for anyone to resign have been asked or not. The Government is right as to not entertain them or Government will end up playing to their tune.


The Government side have given answers after answers and clarifications after clarifications but they refuse to accept the answer. They want to continue to question and make-up stories as though the answers and clarifications are insufficient. Since they are having the doubts and making allegations, they should be the side to prove without any reasonable doubt? Why the "without any reasonable doubt" condition?


Easy ... as raised in Part 1 here, their motive is to form of link between the death of Altantuya with the submarine deal. PKR, SUARAM and opposition propaganda wants voters to believe that there was a cover-up to the murder because Altantuya was involved in the deal, denied her fair share and killed.


Then, they should "show the smoking gun!" 

Something2Hide behind Mahathir's two judicial reviews

The pro-Tun vehemently denied Tun Dr Mahathir was in a state of panic when the Special Taskforce announced the formation of a RCI on BNM forex loss.

Mahathir detractors claimed he left for London to celebrate Hari Raya to consult with Clare Brown on their next course for diversion and new offensive. He could afford to bring his grandchildren back for Hari Raya so it was no excuse to celebrate with them.

Before that, in June, Mahathir put up a front to claim he is not afraid of RCI. His lawyer then told the media that Mahathir is ready to testify to the RCI. Sometime in early July, he dared Dato Najib to "tangkap" (imprisoned) him. However, things went a little different.

During the Special Task Force, Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Tan Sri Nor Mohaamed Yakcop talked too much. For Nor, he need to save his skin because Mahathir, Anwar and Lim Kit Siang looked to gang up to accuse the late Bank Negara Governor and himself.

In London, Mahathir made another of his frequent U turn to endorse Anwar as next PM. Words are he had sent people, Minister-level, to lobby with the Task Force members to save him.

Today, it is confirmed that he is not as brave as he seemed as he filed for a judicial review to remove the RCI panel. (Read MMO here).

Is Mahathir's lie on 1MDB about to be unravelled soon?

To pro-BN political pundits, the latest on DOJ is political ploy between the pro-Democrat attorneys and Mahathir.

Apparently, the sceptical responses and critics hurled at DOJ by BN politicians got their attention. DOJ responded through Malaysiakini. Why only Malaysiakini? Is it for real? Is it another proof of  collaboration with foreign government to topple democratically elected Malaysian government?  

If it is taken in good faith that the e--mail exist, there is still a shroud of doubt as to why DOJ website did not make public their response on their website (see here.) Only two on their search engine.

Malaysiakini chose to highlight in their headline, "DOJ: We're in the business of facts, not insinuations" and FMT report based on Malaysiakini report highlighted "DoJ says its court filings based on reasonable facts".

The last para in the second attempt for seizure and forfeiture against those that allegedly laundered money from 1MDB, as taken from Bigdog here, as below:

“A civil forfeiture complaint is merely an allegation that money or property was involved in or represents the proceeds of a crime. These allegations are not proven until a court awards judgment in favor of the U.S.”

What will the rumour mill say next? [up-dated]

The appeal court overturned the decision of the lower court to convict Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri and Corporal Sirul Azhar for the murder of Mongolian working girl Altantunya Shaaribuu seven years ago.

As we understood it, they had admitted to the police of their act and showed the investigating officer the site they blasted the victim's body to smithereens with C4 explosive.

It has already involved the court and for a capital crime like murder, any conviction will have to be beyond reasonable doubt. It's got nothing to do with the truth, only God knows, but case will be decided based on acceptable and presentable fact and evidences. Furthermore, it means that there must be no shred of doubts in the case fact and evidences.

Since this has become a politically explosive case, they will be rumour mongers creating political doubt on someone.

Anwar's absence for Malaysia's first submarine arrival

The Star reported that Malaysia's first Scorpene submarine is due to arrive on July 25th, 2009. The submarine - KD Tunku Abdul Rahman - has already left Toulon, France on Jan 24.

According to the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) chief Laksamana Datuk Seri Abdul Aziz Jaafar, the YDP Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin will receive the submarine when it docks at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah naval base at Pulau Indah, Klang. The submarine would then set sail for the Lumut naval base.

The submarine has been linked to a series of controversies and allegations with Anwar Ibrahim and his protege's hands orchestrating.

Anwar's trial for the sodomy charges will began from July 1st and run till July 24th, 2009. Will he be around to see the arrival of the submarine which he used to implicate and smear his political competitor, Dato Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak in the Premiership race?

Many believed he will not be. Here's how the events in the past unfolded and the future could possibly be.

Abdul Razak Baginda and the Murder of Altantunya?

The main controversy surrounding the submarine is the implication of Abdul Razak Baginda, a former security analyst to Najib, to the murder of a Mongolian woman, Altantunya allegedly by two Unit Tindakan Khas (UTK) personnel, Azrilah and Sirul. Razak was a Director in Primekar Sdn Bhd, a Company given the project management contract for the submarine.

Razak was released from detention and not charged but Azrilah and Sirul was recently found guilty by the courts. He is now believed to be living in London.

The case attracted few questions.

One was why Musa Safri was not brought to the stand as witness. A possible answer is that his statement tallied with the statement of Razak, Azrilah and Sirul. And, it maybe of no consequence to the case, be it for the prosecutor or the defense. Musa was asked for help from Razak to introduce to any police personnel and he did so.

Thus far established without questions from Karpal Singh, observer representing the family of the late Altantunya lawyer, is that Altantunya had an affair with Razak. Her letters does not indicate as the rumours goes that her profession was an interpreter or an arms arranger.

This dismiss the possibility she was demanding her entitlement for any alleged commision. Nevertheless, her letters presented in court established that she was in dire need for money. She was seeking and pleading for Razak's assistance. When she grew more desperate, she threatened in her letter to expose their affair.

The main grouse about this case was why Razak was not called as witness. And, this is the only issue raised by Karpal Singh. Majority of the knowledgable public concur with Karpal Singh.

Another issue was why was the motive of the case not discussed. This will need a legal practitioner to answer.

Without having access to the documents, one wonder what the court meant by the defense were at loggerhead with each other? Could it be possible that Azrilah misunderstood the instruction to "take care of her" and wrongly instructed Sirul to get rid of Altantunya? Thus, the murder is about a miscommunication and as such, there is no need for a motive.

Nevertheless, there is a bizarre theory making it's round suspecting Altantunya killed and blowed up to smitterins by another party with the intention to implicate Najib. Their convenient suspects are Khairy and the Tingkat 4, and Anwar Ibrahim. The plan was executed by some foreign operatives. In french, bizarre means crazy. Without evidence or proof, it is merely speculative.

Both Azrilah and Sirul filed for appeal and more will unfold.

Thus far, these the few revelations from the court proceeding shows that much that was being rumoured had no evidence. Is Karpal Singh losing his roar or the only thing relevant to roar about is Razak's absence from the witness stand?

Pinning it to Rosmah?

One twist to this murder is PI Balasundram's revised Statutory Declaration (SD) and Raja Petra's SD that attempted to implicate Rosmah. Two police officers name were mentioned but both denied with their own Statutory SD.

RPK's SD and his willingness to face the consequences made his words believable to certain segment of the public. But the strange part is his SD is a mentioned in third party i.e. declaration based not on his own information and filled with the term "reliably informed".

After being held for questioning by police, Bala declared the next day that his revised SD is incorrect and disappeared. Words from sceptics of Najib is that Bala was taken away to some oceanic island nation and monetarily rewarded by Najib and Rosmah.

God knows, but the act of hiding away seemed more consistent with the manner Elizabeth Wong and V Arumugan disappeared temporarily. The exception would be the failed attempt to "kidnap" the two defected PKR Perak State Assemblymen.

No one should dismiss the possibility that it is a PKR attempt to dismiss Bala's original SD. Bala has committed perjury and is liable in court. All his statutory declaration is now inadmissable in court.

Another equally bizarre twist to the Rosmah off-shoot of the Altantunya murder is another SD supposedly by Bala claiming Rosmah was into Hindu practices. Then there was the Malaysia Today report of charms found in Pak Lah's office but none found in Najib's office. [Am I too familiar with such style of fabrication?]

Scorpene padded commission?

When Anwar first made an issue of Altantunya, he was judiciously careful as to not touch the Altantunya murder case and end up committing contempt of court. Off course, he became bolder later in particular during the Permatang Pauh by-election.

At the Ijok by-election in 2007, he began his name smearing of Najib by raising suspicion of corruptices of padded commission in the purchase of Sukhoi and Scorpene. To make his story believable, he claim to have documents, just like he claim he is in possession of six boxes of documents proving Mahathir's corrupt practices.

In the millitary business, pricing information is highly classified. Try visit any millitary exhibitions and ask for the pricing of equipment, they will never reveal, not even the ballpark figure. How did Anwar claim to have information and document? Or is it another drama?

By virtue of the different equipments, specs, and config, there is no common pricing for a similar model of millitry asset. For instance, our two frigates - KD Tuah and KD Jebat - are the most expensive built for its models due to its "multiple role" capability. Perhaps, Anwar can dig up for corrupt practices from his British contacts. It was purchased during his tenure at MOF.

Supposed Anwar is saying the truth and he has the documents, how did he get such clasified documents? Who derived the analysis for the spending? Could it be he was provided by some intelligence organisation friendly to him?

Coming back to Primekar, it is the only third party outsourcing contractor to the submarine program. The detrators of Najib are accusing Najib of receiving commision and without any known contractor and agent available, Primekar is conveniently accused as the conduit to receive some RM500 million commission.

Lets recall that MINDEF issued a clarification two years ago that both Sukhoi and Scorpene are G-to-G deals i.e. no go-betweens and brokers involved in the sales and purchase to receive commissions. For Primekar's role as project management, how much can one pad the project management fee, especially with all the items specified and auditable?

Sources close to certain personnels in Cherboug, where the first submarine is being built, claimed that Primekar operates on a tight budget. Why would they be cutting corners, if they had secured a RM500 million commission?

The same source revealed that the project management fee is a fraction of the alleged RM500 million commission (The information could be under OSA).

Anwar not around?

Time is running out on Anwar and Raja Petra. Anwar is due to stand for trial for his sodomy case on July 1-24th. While, Raja Petra is due for the courts on April 23-24th for sedition charges and May 26-28th for criminal defamation (related to his SD).

It is widely believed that Anwar is "sign, sealed and delivered" to return to Sungai Buloh prison. His case is an open and shut case, if not for Tan Sri Gani Patail foolish attempt to transfer the case from Session to High Court.

One source claim that the evidence is so conclusive that the prosecutor could conclude their case by the third day of trial.

The victim, Saiful already hinted of the existence of a video in his blog. Anwar's only line of defense is to question the authencity of the video and fabricate an alibi. He has used up the tactic to buy time by questioning the court officers.

For Raja Petra, his trial has yet to begin but sources were saying the prosecutor side are confident. It was heard that his defense team feared to be called as witness for the Azrilah and Sirul trial.

Irrespective of the outcome, Anwar and Raja Petra seemed to be on accelerated mode in their spin and propaganda. There is a build up to bring public sentiment against Najib, Dr Mahathir, and Muhyiddin which would be further intensified in their absence. The game plan could be for Pakatan Rakyat to win the next General Election, thus both Anwar and Raja Petra could secure their release.

While it is working in their favour, do they have the energy to sustain such pace over three years? Could the peoples' attention be maintained with their economic woes foremost in their mind?

In the meanwhile, certain Malay members of the PKR are quietly working to find a replacement for Anwar. They realise PKR will lose it's appeal among Malay voters, particularly the rural Malays, without a sufficiently outstanding Malay leader at the helm. Their multiracialism sloganeering is merely rhetorical because PKR put up a Malay face at the rural areas. [Read a Malay replacement for Fairuz] They are not ready to end their career by abandoning PKR to return to UMNO.

An UMNO veteran that commands the respect of both within UMNO and Opposition have been approached. But to no avail. The last he would do is to end his political career outside UMNO. If he remain adamant, PKR leaders may stream back to UMNO.

Anwar understand the situation, thus he need to have the faction labelled by UMNO press as Erdogan faction win and control PAS. That way Pakatan Rakyat would remain intact.

Without Abdullah at the helm of nation, Anwar's main worry is that public's confidence could be turned around in due time. He has no choice but to undertake a tall order to sustain a constant onslaught on a more steadier Najib for the next three year. There is a widely held belief that Anwar is trying to sustain the political momentum by having a by-election every 1-3 month.

Najib is reading this and although unconventional, he might deny Anwar the attention and claim of beating BN by not placing a candidate at Penanti. After Penanti, it is likely to be Nibong Tebal.

Najib's cards?

Through all this, Najib has refuse to make any comments other than his sumpah mubahalah to deny knowledge of Altantunya in Permatang Pauh. As a national leader, he can't afford to behave like the oppositions to speak in a "do or die" manner.

But Najib still have cards up his sleave.

A rumour surface last week of Media Prima ordering newspapers and TVs in their stable from any mention of Razak Baginda and Najib in any report relating to the Altantunya muder case. This has yet to be verified. The free press activist may cry foul, but it could be argued that the press were indulging in an age old propaganda tactic of repeated mentioning.

When the court cases end, Najib has the option to sue both Anwar and Raja Petra to clear his name.

In the meanwhile, he could challenge Anwar and Raja Petra to release all evidences and documents claimed in their possession. [I would ask blogger Susan Loone, whose intense coverage of the Altantunya murder, to release the evidences too!]

If it is not "Presidential" for Najib to do so and after all, he must be seen focusing on the rakyat's issue and the country's economic woes, he could get the media to drum up the people to make such demand on Anwar and Raja Petra [and Susan Loone too!].

Anwar should do so. He doesn't have much time. Before his return to Sungai Buloh, its the least he could do as a favour to the two rakyat, Azrilah and Sirul. After all, the guilty party and cause of national woe to him is only Najib.

* Edited 6:45 pm

Anwar's last straw

The current play to use the military as political issue was started by the opposition and certain have-been faction in UMNO prior to the 2007 Ijok by-election.

Still fresh in the public mind of the murder of Mongolian call girl, Altantunya Shaaribu. She had a tryst with Defense Analyst and lecturer, Razak Baginda and came to Malaysia after the affair ended.Razak had a short stinct as Najib's part time speech writer and was involved in the submarine project.

Consequently, opposition accused Razak of taking bribe for himself, Najib and UMNO in the form of  services fee for Perimekar. It did not stopped there but the pointed the murder of Altantunya by the two UTK men to Razak, Dato Najib and his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah.  

The issues had died down but since 2010, PKR tried to revive it via SUARAM using their complain and investigation by the French court. The lies by SUARAM and various myth has since been debunked.

Although there are several attempt to revive it, the issues are considered dead. However, Anwar has not given up. He is now taking it beyond Scorpene purchase and Altantunya murder. ith dwindling audience at ceramah, issues debunked, and faced with a BN on the offensive, it could be his last straw.

By the look of things, Anwar could be using the military card beyond creating issue for votes but act of treason into the realm of national security and coup d 'etat.

Troubled and desperate ... Deepak could do anything

There are issues and events to write about and comments to make. But who cares?

It is the holiday season and we are still in a "devil may care" mood. To pun Billy Joel's song lyric, "I am in a Sabah state of mind." In fact, we might be going again before Christmas.

It had to take one of PKR's "General Chief" attempted stunt to deviate public attention from UMNO's General Assembly to get us to get back in a writing mood.

It is not the futile anti-Lynas group or Husam-initiated Royalti Minyak Kelantan  losing concern stunt or frogging in UMNO Semporna that are worth writing about

But the one on Deepak.

Desperate PR's attempt for Tahrir Square-like revolution?

SATURDAY RALLY TO STIR EMOTIONS AND LET LOOSE SUPPORTERS

Some called it a Save Shamsidar rally to prepare for the commencement of the court trial for Dato Anwar Ibrahim's civil lawsuit against Dato Nallakaruppan. Shamsidar Taharin, wife of Azmin Ali will be called as witness and Anwar's lawyer failed in their application to the court to remove her out from the witness list.

Shamsidar was widely believed to have an affair with Anwar with Azmin's consent and that affair bore them a now grown up daughter.

During the sodomy trial of 1998/99, it became an issue.

DNA sample of the daughter was believed to be tampered with sample from Azmin and Shamsidar's eldest daughter was used. Then Investigating Officer, Tan Sri Musa Hassan raised in court that the sample was not taken with any police as witness. The suspicion was that the doctor cooperate with Anwar and Azmin.

All indication points tomorrow's, Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat (People Uprising Rally) to a last ditch attempt of Anwar Ibrahim to garner support and clean up all their acts in the past few years. If They are not desperate, they would have wait out for the election results.

It will not be a surprise to see the highly charged sounding event be similar to the Tahrir Square event in Cairo that was a popular uprising to topple the Government.

SUARAM's HR report resembled their Scorpene submarine allegations

Human rights is the raison d'etre of contemporary liberals.

The liberals placed so much importance on human right-ism that the individual human's right to practically do anything they wish have superceded the need for national security, community peace and harmony, economic prosperity, religious value and belief, public morality, and so on.

One such liberal group is SUARAM and in their quest for human's right, they are willing to lie, compromise national interest and destroy nation building.

SUARAM released it's 2014 Human Rights Overview of Malaysia three days ago on Tuesday. It can only be expected that there will be no glowing praises for Malaysia. And, it could make sense to say that Malaysia had not met their's or some International body's standard of human rights.

However, to say it is a new low for Malaysia is utterly ridiculous.