ISN’T HABIBUR RAHMAN PART OF NAJIB’S INNER CIRCLE? NO ‘H’ IN PM’S OFFICE – IS SARIFUDDIN BEING PEDANTIC OR TELLING THE TRUTH?

There is nobody in the Prime Minister’s Office who fits the description of “H”, said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s press aide Tengku Sarifuddin Tengku Ahmad.

“The Prime Minister’s Office has no officer named as such, nor does such an officer work for the PM,” Tengku Sarifuddin told Sinar Harian.

He was referring to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s claim that an aide to the prime minister, whom he referred to only as “H”, offered him RM5 million in cash to quit the party and further his studies at Oxford University.

Syed Saddiq also asked “H”, whom he alleged was the mastermind of the attempts to “buy” him, to come forward and deny the accusations.

“I have never met ‘H’ in person, but I have met his middlemen. I have met different individuals (who acted as his representatives) during various meetings,” he said.

Syed Saddiq also claimed it was “H” who, through a middleman, arranged Monday’s press conference in which Syed Saddiq announced he was turning down an Oxford scholarship to remain in politics.

According to him, the parties who arranged the press conference had expected him to “follow the script” and announce he was quitting Bersatu to continue his studies, but he had turned the table on them.

Syed Saddiq also told the newspaper that he last met a representative of “H” on Sept 27, but that neither he nor his family have received any call from them since.

“I hope he (H) will sue me if what I’m saying is untrue. If these are mere claims, please come forward and deny them. If I’m wrong, sue me,” he had dared.

Syed Saddiq further claimed that the RM5 million “dedak” for following the “script” was to be disbursed in tranches, with the first payment being RM500,000.

“The rest will be paid later. As to get the rest (of the payment) – I will have to follow their subsequent orders.

“They will say the money won’t be given until the given task is completed. The money disbursed will be according to the tasks completed.

“For instance, the money promised (to a Bersatu Youth exco) is RM50,000. They will have to issue a statement and I have to reply, and they will issue another statement rebutting me, and so on.

“When these tasks are completed, they will be paid accordingly,” he said, adding that several Bersatu Youth exco members have disclosed to him how they have been offered cash to leave the party.

“I thought they (the exco members) were going to deny the offers. Instead, I was asked how much the party (Bersatu) can offer them to make them stay,” he added.

– M’kini