'RM90m for PAS': Sarawak Report editor names Ambiga as source

Sarawak Report editor Clare Rewcastle-Brown has named former Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan as part of her defence with regard to a defamation suit filed against her by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

Rewcastle-Brown claimed she had spoken to Ambiga in July 2016 on matters related to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, 1MDB and PAS.

According to court documents sighted by Malaysiakini, Ambiga purportedly told Rewcastle-Brown about Najib's relationship with PAS, including the alleged financial arrangements between the two parties, and the motivations behind it.

"Ambiga had told the defendant that her sources, whom she said were reliable, had estimated the amount that had been paid was around RM90 million," said Rewcastle-Brown, according to the court documents dated Oct 11.

Contacted by Malaysiakini, Ambiga said she was not able to comment on the matter.

Rewcastle-Brown said she had published parts of her conversation with Ambiga in good faith as a political commentary on a matter of public interest and concern.

The London-based editor said she had a right to free expression and that the right of the Malaysian public to such expression was allegedly being suppressed in Malaysia.

She said that her statements in question were not directed at Hadi or any individuals personally.

"The defendant did not intend and could reasonably expect that the words would not be understood to be a statement referring to the claimant at all or to convey the imputation against the claimant that the claimant contends was conveyed," she said.

Rewcastle-Brown also told the court Najib allegedly transferred more than RM200 million to former PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa since 2014, which was allegedly used to fund a particular PAS faction.

She claimed the former party leader and other top PAS officials had displayed newfound wealth, purchasing cars, properties and took new wives.

She provided a long list of luxury vehicles allegedly bought by these leaders.

In April, Nasharudin had denied receiving funds from Najib and has threatened to sue PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli for making such allegations.

Rewcastle-Brown has been accused of being part of a conspiracy spearheaded by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad to topple Najib.

She has denied the allegation as well as having received funding from Mahathir.- Mkini