Scorpene issue being used to ‘tarnish’ PM’s name, says deputy minister

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. — File pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 21 —The controversial Scorpene submarines issue has been twisted to "tarnish" the name of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said today.

"Clearly this matter has been diputar-belitkan (twisted) to menggambarkan (create an impression) a link between Scorpene, Abdul Razak Baginda, Altantuya (Shaariibuu) and Pekan (MP)," Abdul Latiff said in his winding-up speech at Parliament today.

"This is all to tarnish the name of Pekan," he said, referring to Najib, who is also Pekan MP.

Altantuya, who was killed in 2006 and blown up with C4 explosives, has been linked to the government’s controversial RM7 billion Scorpene submarines purchase from French defence company DCNS which is now under probe in France. The purchase was made while Najib headed the Defence Ministry. Abdul Razak, who was tried for abetting in Altantuya’s murder but was later acquitted, was said to be Najib’s close aide when the deal was made in 2002.

MORE TO COME