Military Intelligence Deny Giving Anwar Information About His Safety - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, July 4 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's Military Intelligence on Friday denied that it had been a source of information for Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim concerning threats to his safety or that of his family members.

Its director Lt Gen Datuk Mohd Salleh Ismail also denied it had a report on the Mongolian Altantuya murder case as claimed by blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin in his statutory declaration (SD) made at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on June 18.

"Statements made by Anwar that military intelligence had warned him about threats to his safety are not true. He might have other sources of information but certainly not from my department," he told reporters after opening a basic digital photography course at Kolej Multimedia Telekom here.

He said this when asked to comment about Anwar claiming on Sunday that he had received information from government sources and military intelligence that Barisan Nasional (BN) agents planned to harm or assassinate him and also harm his family members and supporters.

Touching on Raja Petra's SD, he said:"Since I took over (as Director of Military Intelligence) I have no knowledge that such a report exists."

In his SD, Raja Petra had alleged that a copy of the report was in the possession of Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin, who is also the Member of Parliament for Rembau, and that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had knowledge of it.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=343971]

Malaysia voices displeasure over US statement - The Star

By Mazwin Nik Anis

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has ticked off the United States over what the Government regarded as "meddling into its internal affairs", following a statement by the US state department on recent investigations on Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's case.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim said a letter was dispatched to the US Embassy Friday morning addressed to Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, voicing Malaysia's "displeasure and unhappiness" over the statement.

"The comments were uncalled for and Malaysia takes a serious view in respect of this position. We made it very clear in our letter that we are displeased with the statement. I hope this is taken stock of.

"Malaysia is a sovereign country with its own rules and laws and the United States should not condemn us just because they do not like our system or because they do not approve of our laws," he told reporters Friday after opening the media centre for the 6th Developing Eight (D8) Summit.

On Monday, foreign wires reported that US State Department spokesman Tom Casey as saying the United States would oppose any "politically motivated investigation" or prosecution of Anwar.

"The main point for us is that the rule of law needs to stand above politics," Casey was quoted as saying in the statement, adding the department "hoped there would not be a pattern" because Anwar had faced similar charges in 1998.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/4/nation/20080704200231&sec=nation]

Kuala Kangsar election petition dismissed - Malaysiakini

By Athi Veeranggan

The Ipoh High Court today dismissed an election petition that challenged the victory of former minister Rafidah Aziz in the Kuala Kangsar parliamentary constituency.

Election Judge Zakaria Sam ruled that Rafidah's "silly mistake" in failing to sign two out of three sets of her nomination papers in the March 8 general election was not a proper reason to nullify the final outcome.

He added that the election for the seat proceeded freely, fairly and without any corrupt practices.

"Her presence at the nomination centre to submit her papers was enough to prove her consent to accept the nomination to contest," he said.

Since signing and submitting nomination papers were merely part of an electoral process, he said Rafidah's mistake was unsubstantial for the election officer to neither reject her candidacy nor stop the election process.

Moreover, the petitioner did not mention any other wrongdoings like corrupt practices in his affidavit, other than on the ‘missing signature', he added.

He said non-compliance to the requirement to sign all three nomination papers would not have affected the election results anyway, stressing that "it was a mere technical error.'

[More at http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85558]

PI retracts stunning statutory declaration - Malaysiakini

By Soon Li Tsin

Private investigator P Balasubramaniam today retracted his stunning statutory declaration which had linked Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to murdered Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu.

The said declaration claimed that Najib had a sexual relationship with Altantuya and that he was the one who had introduced the deceased to political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda.

In his new statutory declaration dated July 4, Balasubramaniam said that he was forced to make his earlier declaration under duress.

"I wish to retract the first declaration. I was compelled to affirm the July 1 declaration under duress," the new statutory declaration read.

He however did not reveal who forced him to affirm the first declaration.

Balasubramaniam disclosed this during a brief press conference at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur this morning. Also present was lawyer M Arulampalam.

[More at http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85552]

Abdullah: Govt stable, don’t believe in rumours - NST

By : V. Vasudevan and Joseph Sipalan

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is safe and stable, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said as he calmed jitters over the country's political outlook.

"This government is a stable government. Please believe that.

"The administration is moving, projects are being implemented.

"Please don't get overexcited about what is happening. There are a lot of rumours. Please don't believe them.

"Don't panic about what is happening," he said after chairing the first meeting of the Northern Corridor Economic Region board of directors yesterday.

Abdullah said there were no security issues or concerns in the country.

He dismissed rumours that an exercise being conducted by the police and army was a prelude to emergency rule.

"Please don't read anything into it. I don't think anyone should be worried. This is an exercise and should not be regarded as something else.

"Rumours here, rumours there. It is as if rumours are lording over us. I am not so wrong to say that Malaysians are very gullible."

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/Frontpage/2284946/Article/index_html]

Anwar: Proof on Najib soon - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Evidence allegedly linking Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to murdered Mongolian translator Altantuya Shaariibuu will be released in the next few days.

“The next evidence will come in the next few days. Just be patient. This is not the end. I just want to test the nerve and commitment of the Prime Minister,” said PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He was taking questions from reporters at the press conference where private investigator P. Balasubramaniam – once hired by Abdul Razak Baginda – released a statutory declaration that alleged Najib’s involvement with Altantuya.

Anwar pointed out that when his wife Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and daughter Nurul Izzah met the Prime Minister in Parliament on Tuesday, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi gave the assurance that he would investigate Anwar’s recent police report against the Attorney-General (A-G) and Inspector-General of Police (IGP) about fabricating evidence in the 1998 infamous “black eye” incident.

Anwar, however, noted that just 10 minutes after Abdullah gave the assurance, he (Abdullah) told reporters he had full confidence in the A-G and IGP.

“So I don’t know what he means by giving that assurance because my police report involves these two key institutions and they had fabricated evidence against me,” he said.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/4/nation/21738312&sec=nation]

Najib: Statutory declaration just a diversion - TheStarOnline.tv

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak says the statutory declaration made by private investigator P Balasubramaniam is just to divert public attention from sodomy allegations against Anwar Ibrahim. Najib said this at a press conference at the Parliament Thursday evening.

DPM says statutory declaration is a ‘red herring’ - The Star

VIDEO: Najib: Statutory declaration just a diversion

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak read out a statement at a press conference in Parliament, saying that the statutory declaration by P. Balasubramaniam was a "red herring" by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to divert public attention from the sodomy allegation against him.

Following is a transcript of his statement:

"Firstly, I want to repeat that whatever that had been said is considered sub judice because the case is still under trial in court. However, I wish to repeat strongly that I did not know or have met the Mongolian woman mentioned in the statutory declaration.”

“The statutory declaration, which I consider as a horrible lie, a mere fabrication with malicious intention and slanderous element which aimed to smear my image. I am very sure that this is a very desperate attempt to divert attention from the sodomy allegation that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is facing now.”

“What is important now is not the matter raised as a diversion, (or) red herring, but what people want to know is whether the sodomy case happened or not. I hope the relevant authorities will investigate and make an announcement as soon as possible.”

“On the statutory declaration, because the declaration contradicts the testimonies in court and also with the police report, I leave it to the authorities to investigate fully.

The parties responsible (for the statutory declaration) should be prepapred to accept any consequences if the authorities uncover any legal wrongdoing."

[From http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/3/nation/20080703200033&sec=nation]

PI Points Finger At No. 2 Leader In New Twist To Mongolian's Murder - AP

KUALA LUMPUR: A private detective claimed Thursday (3 July) that police officers who investigated the 2006 killing of a Mongolian woman deliberately suppressed statements that might have indicated the Malaysian deputy prime minister's involvement in the case.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak did not respond to requests by The Associated Press for comment. Najib's aides said he was likely to comment later Thursday. But responding to rumors in the past, Najib has denied any hand.

The latest claim by private detective Balasubramaniam Perumal, made in a sworn declaration, adds an unexpected twist to the case of Altantuya Shaariibuu, a Mongolian translator and interpreter who was killed 19 Oct 2006.

Her body was blown up with explosives and only remains were found in a jungle clearing.

A close friend of Najib, Abdul Razak Baginda, is on trial for abetting her murder. Two policemen are on trial with him for murder, which shook Malaysia's political establishment because of the personalities involved and the gruesome nature of the killing. The trial is in a recess.

Abdul Razak, a prominent political analyst, says he had an affair with Shaariibuu, 28, and that she was harassing him for money. Abdul Razak hired Balasubramaniam a few days before Shaariibuu's death to keep her away from him.

At a news conference arranged by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, Balasubramaniam claimed Abdul Razak had told him that Najib had confessed to having a "sexual relationship" with her previously.

Balasubramaniam acknowledged his information was hearsay.

[More at http://www.mysinchew.com/node/13446]

Explosive claims linking Najib to Altantuya - Malaysiakini

By Soon Li Tsin

Private investigator P Balasubramaniam has made shocking claims that Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had links with murdered Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu.

He revealed that Najib had also informed his close associate Abdul Razak Baginda that inspector-general of police Musa Hassan would 'take care' of the murder case which implicated Abdul Razak.

He further revealed that his evidence linking Najib to the murdered Mongolian was removed by the police and prosecutors during the murder trial - a move seen to protect the DPM.

These shocking revelations were made by Balasubramaniam in a statutory declaration which he filed on July 1 and was revealed by PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim in a packed press conference this morning.

Balasubramaniam was the PI hired by Abdul Razak to ‘handle’ Altantuya, who had apparently come over to Malaysia in 2006 to settle some financial issues with Abdul Razak.

Soon after Altantuya was found murdered in an isolated site in Shah Alam, Selangor.

[More at http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85500]

Azmin: Anwar will be PM by Sept 16 - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: PKR’s plan to make Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim Prime Minister by Sept 16 is still on track, said the party's vice-president Azmin Ali.

The Gombak MP, however, said with the latest allegations hurled against the de facto leader, there was some “slowing down of the process”.

“I spoke last night to the four Barisan Nasional MPs who want to crossover and they said their commitment has not wavered even with the latest fiasco. So far, there is no change. We are still on track,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby.

He said following a rally in Shah Alam on Tuesday night, they would be holding similar gatherings in Penang on Saturday and Kuala Lumpur a day after.

He did not dismiss the possibility of street protests.

“Maybe we will use this forum for people to express their anger over what is happening and what is done by the present (Federal Government) leadership,” he said.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/3/nation/21727022&sec=nation]

Raja Petra's Malaysia Today website hacked and altered - NST

KUALA LUMPUR, Wed:

If you click to open the Malaysia Today website just now, you will be greeted by a smiling Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad dressed in army fatigues, an obvious picture alteration to the Mel Gibson movie poster “We Were Soldiers.”

The site, edited and owned by the controversial Raja Petra Kamarudin, was hacked since early this morning by a hacker simply known as Gasakdotnet.

The hack appeared to be a political statement alluding to Dr Mahathir’s “battle” for his country when he was prime minister from 1981 to 2003, which also includes the tagline "My Countrymen, My Fellow Malaysian."

In the tradition of movie promotions, the hacked poster is drumming up support for a “movie now showing nationwide”, another statement alluding to Dr Mahathir’s series of lectures and meetings criticising the Prime Minister's policies and management style.

Malaysia Today is no stranger to hacks, which included earlier attacks that prevented surfers from viewing the site.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/Frontpage/20080702195713/Article/index_html]

Malaysians Perceive Corruption To Be Declining - Survey - Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, July 2 (Bernama) -- A local survey has revealed that Malaysians now perceive corruption in the country to be declining in contrast to findings by Transparency International.

The survey, which was done by the Statistics Department and funded by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), showed that from the total 10 points of the corruption perception index, Malaysia scored 6.79 points compared to 5.10 points in Transparency International's index. The lower the figure the worse the situation.

According to the National Integrity Perception Index Research Report 2007, which was launched, here today, the people's perception on corruption alleviation was expected to be better this year and in the future.

Malaysian Integrity Institute President, Datuk Dr Mohd Tap Salleh when presenting the findings, said this was due to the government's development policy and increase in transparency, including efforts to make the Anti- Corruption Agency (ACA) a fully independent commission.

Speaking to reporters after the launching, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan, however, said that both findings should not be compared as they involved different sets of respondents.

"This is the first time such the survey was conducted. It's a good start and will be the benchmark to improve national integrity," he said.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=343500]

Malaysia's Anwar vows to seize power - AP

By Vijay Joshi

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has vowed to seize power soon, stepping up his campaign against the government as he fights back an accusation of sodomizing a young worker in his office.

Addressing some 7,000 people on Tuesday night, Anwar accused the ruling National Front coalition government of being corrupt, inefficient and uncaring. He promised to set right the problems plaguing the country, including bringing down fuel prices, which were raised by a whopping 41 percent to 63 percent last month.

The opposition will "rule in a short while" and "the next day we will lower the price of oil," he said to loud cheers in his first public meeting since he was hit by the sodomy accusation last week.

Police are investigating the allegation by a 23-year-old male aide. Anwar, 60, who is married with six children, says he is a victim of a conspiracy by a desperate government clinging to power.

Sodomy, even if consensual, is punishable by up to 20 years in prison in Muslim-majority Malaysia.

The government has denied any hand in the claim.

[More at http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/07/02/ap5175884.html]

I have a strong alibi, says Anwar - The Star

VIDEO: Anwar: We Will Fight

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dismissed the sodomy accusation, saying he has a strong alibi to prove his innocence.

“I have ample proof and witnesses,” he said at a packed press conference at the PKR headquarters here yesterday.

Anwar was silent for a few seconds, then took another question, before replying to a question on his whereabouts on Thursday night last week when his 23-year-old former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan alleged that he had been sodomised by Anwar.

The PKR de facto leader declined to elaborate on the matter, saying he had been advised by his lawyers to refrain from doing so.

Compared to the first time when he was charged with committing sodomy in 1993, Anwar said he was well prepared with facts and documents now.

“Back then, the police stole my diary and never returned it. We struggled to think of what happened years ago. This time, events are still fresh in my memory. There is the diary and witnesses.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/2/nation/21715548&sec=nation]

Dr M not surprised by sodomy allegation - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he was not surprised over the recent sodomy allegation against his former deputy Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“I am not surprised at all. He is saying it is a fabrication but he said the same thing last time,” he said when asked to comment on the new allegation.

The allegation came about after a 23-year-old former aide of Anwar lodged a police report on Saturday alleging sodomy. The de facto leader of PKR in turn filed a suit against the aide claiming defamation and malicious falsehood.

Anwar has vehemently denied the accusations and said it was a political conspiracy against him given his plans to return to Parliament.

Anwar alleged that the Government was out to get him, just when he was about to announce where he would be contesting in a by-election. The Government has denied his allegation.

“He will have lots of stories. There is always conspiracy as far as he is concerned. I’m not surprised at all,” Dr Mahathir said in an interview.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/2/nation/21714819&sec=nation]

Anwar: We Will Fight - TheStarOnline.tv

PKR held an impromptu rally Tuesday night in reaction to the sodomy allegations made against its de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

PM gives assurance of security - The Star

By Sim Leoi Leoi

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has given an assurance of security for PKR de-facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the latest police probe against him for sodomy.

The Premier said this Tuesday after meeting with Opposition Leader Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and her daugther Nurul Izzah Anwar for 20 minutes at his office in Parliament building here.

Abdullah said during the meeting, Dr Wan Azizah had asked him to ensure the safety of her husband and that he would not be ill-treated.

“For the Government, we want to ensure the safety for whoever is involved in the case - whether it be the accuser or the accused.

“The laws of the country guarantee their security,” he told reporters here Tuesday.

Abdullah said Dr Wan Azizah had also voiced doubts over the role of Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan and Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Patail as both had been involved in the last sodomy case against Anwar back in 1998.

“I want to explain that both the IGP and the AG are professionals, who carry out their responsibilities well.

“At present, there is no need to have a mechanism like a commission to probe the case,” he said.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/1/nation/20080701211916&sec=nation]

Anwar lodges report against IGP, AG - Malaysiakini

By Chan Kok Leong

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim today lodged a police report against police chief Musa Hassan and attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail for allegedly fabricating evidence in his trials 10 years ago.

Anwar arrived at the Selangor state police headquarters in Shah Alam at about 2.50pm, accompanied by his lawyer Sankara Nair.

Four of his party leaders, including vice president R Sivarasa and treasurer William Leong, had arrived much earlier at about 2.20pm and waited for Anwar to come to lodge the report.

Outside the station, several other party leaders, including two of PKR's MPs N Gobalakrishnan and Yusmadi Yusoff, were disappointed that they weren't allowed into the police headquarters.

The crowd of supporters, though small in numbers (about 30), were vociferous, especially when led by Gobalakrishnan. And after Anwar had arrived 10 minutes later, the two managed to push through the gates, although they were stopped from following their leader into the police station.

A minor scuffle broke out with Anwar's supporters shouting through the gates, but no untoward incidents took place. Soon after, Gopalakrishnan and Yusmadi managed to get to the entrance of the police station.

[More at http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85368]

‘Anwar putting on a show’ - NST

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should learn to tell the difference between "reality and play-acting", said Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.

He said the former deputy prime minister's claim of fearing for his life was baseless.

"I guarantee that his life will not be in danger when police carry out their investigation. We have a legal system here and everyone, including Anwar, must respect it."

Syed Hamid said that since Anwar was released from prison, he had the freedom to do what he wanted as a political activist, both locally and overseas. "Nobody has threatened him. He could move freely making all sorts of statements and allegations.

"We have not taken any action to endanger his life. Why should we do that? His family has done very well in the political arena. This is not a country that stops people from doing what they want to do, so long as it is within the law."

Syed Hamid said Anwar's claims were merely "play-acting" by the Pakatan Rakyat de facto leader to "gain sympathy and make everyone believe his life is in danger".

"This has nothing to do with the government. If a private person reports something, it is the duty of the police to investigate."

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/Frontpage/2282071/Article/index_html]