Blogger denies RPK’s quotes on flap over Altantuya murder

File photo of Raja Petra (centre) after he was released at the courthouse in Shah Alam on November 7, 2008 after being detained under the Internal Security Act. — Reuters pic

KUALA LUMPUR, April 14 — Blogger Din Merican has denied discrediting Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor by linking them to the murder of Altantuya Shariibuu as alleged in a TV3 interview with fellow blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin last night.

“I was surprised to learn that I have been linked to attempts to discredit Prime Minister Najib and his wife Rosmah with regard to the Altantuya case.

“There is no basis whatsoever in fact. I am personally disappointed that Raja Petra Kamarudin should see it fit to get me involved in a matter where I have zero knowledge,” said Din Merican in a statement in his blog last night.

Raja Petra had during an interview with pro-government TV3 last night claimed that that he was merely writing accusations made by others against Najib and his wife over the Altantuya murder case.

The Malaysia Today news portal editor said he was pressured and influenced to carry the news by individuals who did not want Najib to take over as the country’s prime minister. Najib succeeded Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as prime minister in April 2009.

The TV3 interview reported Raja Petra as saying his statutory declaration dated June 18, 2008 was based on information from these individuals, adding that a lot of people accused him of slander without actually reading his sworn statement.

In the statutory declaration, Raja Petra said he received information from several individuals that the prime minister’s wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, was at the site when Altantuya was killed.

Raja Petra had named Din Merican as one of the individuals, along with Nik Azmi Nik Daud and John Pang, all of whom were allegedly connected to several politicians including Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Raja Petra also mentioned that a military intelligence officer identified as Lt-Col Azmi Zainal Abidin also gave the same information.

Raja Petra was quoted as saying that their task was to ensure Najib did not take over as PM when Abdullah stepped down.

While denying any involvement to discredit the PM and wife, Din Merican admitted that Raja Petra had called him to seek confirmation from Anwar regarding the reliability of a “certain militrary intelligence officer.”

“When I received confirmation from the PKR de facto leader, I relayed it to Raja Petra. That was all to the whole matter,” said Din Merican, a former PKR member.

In the interview aired last night, Raja Petra said he had asked Din Merican to get confirmation from Anwar regarding the information on Altantuya’s murder.

“Din Merican contacted me back and said he spoke to Anwar, and Anwar had given the green light. He said OK, this man is no problem, what he says we can trust. Anwar knows him well and he usually meets with Anwar... this leftenan-kolonel. And he has told many stories to Anwar about this issue. He said to proceed, I then proceeded,” the exiled Malaysia Today portal editor was quoted as saying.

Raja Petra also said all the individuals had promised to be witnesses if he was charged in court.

In response, Din Merican stressed what while he was unhappy with the Abdullah administration, he had no disagreements with Najib.

“Let me state that I am not anti-Najib; in fact, a number of commentators in my blog have severely criticised me for being ‘soft’ on our prime minister and his policies,” said the blogger.

Altantuya was killed in late 2007 when Najib was then deputy prime minister.

TV3 said it will carry the second part of the interview on the same news bulletin tonight.

The station is part of media giant Media Prima Bhd, which is majority owned by companies linked to Umno, the dominant partner in the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN).