Nazri says Tajuddin intervention could save Putrajaya billions

Nazri insists that the letter was not an order for the firms to let Tajuddin off the hook. — File pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 — Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz has rebuked those who have questioned his authority in intervening in the Tan Sri Tajuddin Ramli’s civil cases, insisting today that the move could save the government billions in legal claims.

The minister in the Prime Minister’s Department disagreed that he had overstepped boundaries with a letter earlier this month telling all government-linked companies to withdraw their suits against the former Malaysia Airlines (MAS) chairman, claiming he had done so in his role as a “facilitator” for the government.

Nazri also told detractors to check their facts before spewing insult against him, saying, “I know what I am doing.”

He accused DAP publicity chief Tony Pua of practising double standards for saying the minister should be placed under the Emergency Ordinance for issuing the letter, asking the leader why he had not urged the same when other Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders attempted to intrude on government affairs.

“I want to ask him (Pua): When (PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul) Hadi Awang asked the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) and Jais (Selangor Islamic Religious Department) to see him and explain the recent church raid, why did he not rebuke Hadi?

“Because what power does Hadi have in doing so? He is not the mentri besar of Selangor and neither is he the minister for religious affairs. So why the double standards, Tony?” Nazri toldThe Malaysian Insider.

Similarly in the controversy over the Kedah government’s ban on entertainment outlets during Ramadan, Nazri said DAP chairman Karpal Singh had no business ordering the businesses to stay open.

“On my part, I spoke to the second finance minister and he told me why don’t I explore this issue and that I may be the facilitator to urge these GLCs to sit down with Tajuddin to come up with an amicable solution. So what power did I abuse?” he asked.

Nazri said that to defend himself, Tajuddin, who is facing millions in legal claims for allegedly causing MAS to suffer losses in excess of RM8 billion during his tenure, had made a whopping RM13 billion counter-claim.

“Our total claims by the companies against Tajuddin are only half a billion ringgit. That is why, we said we should sit down and talk,” he said.

The letter to the GLCs, said Nazri, was an order set in stone and did not outline any commitment on behalf of the companies stipulating that Tajuddin would walk away scot-free.

“It’s different if I went and spoke to some parties and then went claiming as if the government has agreed to settle all claims and let him go,” he said.

Nazri also disputed law professor Abdul Aziz Bari’s claim that, notwithstanding his explanation that the letter only constituted advice, he could not absolve the Najib administration of responsibility by attempting to settle the outstanding claims against Tajuddin.

“It is my letter so I should know better whether or not I made an order or advice. I asked them (GLCs) to speak with Tajuddin’s people. He (Aziz) is shallow in his thinking,” he said.

Nazri had told The Malaysian Insider yesterday that he had written to GLCs earlier this month seeking for them to withdraw their suits, worth at least RM2 billion, to buy time for all concerned parties to reach a “win-win” agreement and put an end to the prolonged financial saga involving Tajuddin.

The Padang Rengas MP had listed the three main parties involved in suits against Tajuddin — MAS, Telekom Malaysia and Prokhas Sdn Bhd — and said the government-linked entities can still choose to proceed with their suits if they felt they had a strong case against him