Scorpenesl: Corruption is corruption whether it is called 'commission' or not

The Barisan Nasional is not a stupid government. After 50 over years in government, it is fair to say that it is very experienced in playing with terms and words especially in formulating paper-work that supports its less than transparent activities.

The government has insisted that it did not pay any commissions to company Perimekar Sdn Bhd, which acted as a go-between for the purchase of the Scorpene submarines from French arms giant DCN. Deputy Defence Minister Abdul Latiff Ahmad himself said on Wednesday that finding any documentary evidence of such would mean the government is “stupid”.

“You think the government would write down that it paid commission to Perimekar? That means the government of Malaysia is stupid! Why don’t you use your brain?” Abdul Latiff, the MP for Mersing, said.

Arrogance and the writing on the wall

These brash and arrogant words were said to Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar during the winding-up of the debate on the Supply Bill 2012. Pushed again if the government could confirm that it had never paid a single sen in commission to Perimekar, Abdul Latiff emoted: “Benar, benar, benar dan benar!” (True, true, true and true!)

Words that are bound to return to haunt him if he lasts in Malaysia's fast changing political scene, but given his performance and lack of polish so far, he seems headed for the has-beens heap

Yes, indeed, as Abdul Latiff had unwittingly albeit rudely pointed out, it is a case of 'Catch us if you can. Certainly, we won't be so stupid as to print it out in black and white for you to use against us. Find your own proof. In the meantime, as far as we are concerned, we have never paid a sen in commission!

Corruption is corruption, whatever you call it

Shocking? But sad it may be, this is the depth that BN has sunk to. They seen to have lost all their orientation and moral bearings, grasping and grabbing at straws to stay politically alive.

No, Perimekar - an obscure firm linked to Najib's close friend Abdul Razak Baginda - was not paid commission but was instead paid 114.96 million euro (approximately RM574.8 million) for “coordination and support services” for helping the Malaysian government seal the RM7 billion Scorpene submarines deal.

In the wording of their agreement, the money paid out was not a commission. Yet, to all intents and purposes it was a commission - whether the Najib administration cares to admit it or not.

Permekar brokered the deal for the submarine purchase and for that, it was awarded a contract to provide coordination and support services, when they had no experience in the given field. What guarantee do the Malaysian public have that Perimekar did not negotiate to be paid RM574.8 million for their part in securing the deal?

The use of the term “coordination and support services” as opposed to “commission” is little more than smart accounting. Something the current BN government is very good at, it is apparent. This can be seen in the NFC scandal, its justification in the purchase of 2 super-luxury condos, another ministry's purchase of overpriced binoculars and in the government's bloated spending bill.

Source of the money hidden by fancy accounting?

Whatever it is, Abdul Latiff’s reply in Parliament at the very least confirms that RM574.8 million was paid out to Perimekar and call it what you may; that money was paid out. The source of the money still remains somewhat of a mystery. Did the money come from the people's coffers or was it channelled from outside funds paid to the government?

You see, if the source was public money, then the Malaysian public should know how was the money spent in supporting the two submarines which now lie off the coast of Sabah.

If the money came from outside sources, for example the government was merely a conduit for DCN, i.e. in the form of a 'commission' paid by DCN, then government must clarify and state it to be so. But of course, it won't and this is what Abdul Latiff is resisting with all his might.

It must also be noted that DCN has a track history of using government conduits to channel money to facilitate its business - this was evident in the DCN-Pakistan scandal.

But no matter what, a sum of money was inappropriately expended and for a most immoral purpose - which was to close the Malaysian purchase of the two subs from DCN. Who paid out the money and how the paper trail has been worked out is the next issue and this is what Abdul Latiff and the BN are determined to keep hidden to themselves.

The consolation is that no matter how complex, a top-notch independent audit firm, such as the one which uncovered the RM12.5billion PKFZ scandal, will be able to unravel the layers given time.

The truth will come out, no one can escape retribution

With the French authorities closing in on the issue of the RM574.8 million; it is logical that the Defence Minister who approved the deal to purchase the submarines will be called to testify and this is personality is not the current Defense Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi; who appears to be more than than willing to be summoned to testify in a French court.

Instead, the Defence Minister in question is the sitting prime minister but we all know his track history with court summons. Yes, Najib Razak, who together with his wife Rosmah Mansor, shirked a subpoena to testify in the sodomy trial against Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim is likely to pull the same irresponsible stunt, leaving Zahid and other Umno colleagues to pick up the mess.

The Scorpenes scandal shows the depth and breadth of how the current Malaysian government is willing to hide the truth, which indicates the likelihood that individuals involved in the scandal are not limited to a mere handful of people.

Instead, it seems that the conspirators could be the entire BN government and its apparatus since everyone is all out to protect the truth from coming out by hiding behind legislation and the authoring of creative financial and legal documents.

But commission or not, as stated in government documents, RM574.8 million did change hands and it also caused the death of a Mongolian national. Her name was Altantuya Shaariibuu and like the rest of Malaysia, she is waiting for the truth to be uncovered, slowly, painfully but surely.

In the end, both she and the Malaysian people can expect justice to be dealt out for sure, for no one is ever safe from God's wrath and retribution.

Malaysia Chornicle