Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has left it to the attorney-general and the relevant authority to take the appropriate action whether to stop or approve the opposition's plan to bring in a French lawyer to give a briefing on the purchase of the Scorpene submarines.
He said the lawyer was invited to the country by the opposition, merely with political motive and not so much for legal business.
"This is a political issue and not a legal issue. So, it is unreasonable for the lawyer to get involved in political affairs in our country," he told reporters after opening Sekolah Agama Rakyat Al-Ulum Al Tarbiah Sports Day in Kampung Tanah Lalang, Bagan Datoh, today.
Ahmad Zahid said this in response to the invitation made by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim to a French lawyer, William Bourdon, who represented human rights group Suaram, to brief the Dewan Rakyat on court proceedings in France on the purchase of the submarines.
"The auditor-general has also explained the matter according to legal procedures and his official report must be adopted by all quarters. Don't try to twist the existing facts," the minister explained.
Move aimed at tarnishing PM
Ahmad Zahid the invitation was made by the opposition with the aim to tarnish the image of Prime Minister Najib Razak, who held the post of defence minister when the submarine was purchased. "However, I will personally defend the moves because the purchase involved a thoroughly negotiated price and specifications.
"This is really an old issue and it was brought up to create public anger and confusion," he added.
- Bernama
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