Charles Morais: I'm well-off, nobody paid me to do SD

Charles Suresh Morais today said that he was not paid to make his explosive statutory declaration (SD) on circumstances surrounding the brutal murder of his older brother, former deputy public prosecutor, Anthony Kevin Morais.

His denial comes hot on the heels of the response by his younger brother, Richard Dilaan Morais, who said yesterday that he did not rule out financial incentive as being a motive for Charles' SD.

"I am extremely financially secure and was not paid by any party for the SD," he said in an exclusive e-mail to Malaysiakini this afternoon.

"I spent two months at the Hilton in Kuala Lumpur on my dime waiting for the autopsy results," he added.

Richard had also said that as Kevin's will did not mention Charles, it showed that whatever Charles said had no substance.

In response, Charles told Malaysiakini that the will Richard (photo) was referring to was done in 2004 and that there is a new will that superseded this former one.

"Please confirm with the executor of Kevin's will. (My lawyer) Americk Sidhu can attest to it.

"Richard and his lawyers are both aware of it but chose to use what is beneficial to them. Unlike Richard, I am not after Kevin's money," he said.

However, Charles said this does not mean he will not fight for Kevin's estate.

"Richard does not have the financial strength. I have and will tie up Kevin's estate in the courts for a long time," he said.

He said he plans to use the proceeds from Kevin's will for a good cause like the setting up a foundation and he has discussed this with friends and well-wishers in Malaysia.

"If I had my way, not a cent will go to Richard. He (Richard) has and always will be a disgrace to the family," Charles claimed.

Charles also said it was Richard who is saddled with financial woes and accused him of having previous run-ins with the law.

"That's the reason why Kevin and I have distanced ourselves from him. Very unfortunate but true."

Second post-mortem wrangle

He added that it is a pity "some people in power" had worked with Richard to avoid the second post-mortem on Kevin.

"They could have told me earlier they had no intention of allowing me to arrange a second autopsy but instead used this route.

"What are they hiding?" he asked.

Attempts as of press time to contact Richard for a response were unsuccessful.

Charles has been living in Atlanta, US since 1984.

He had, on Thursday, made an explosive statutory declaration (SD) in Kuala Lumpur alleging conspiracy in the murder of Kevin.

In the SD, he claimed Kevin had confided in him that he was working on a case involving Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor.

Charles also claimed that Kevin had sent to him a pen drive via courier containing evidence which implicated individuals in power and he (Charles) has arranged for it to be revealed if anything should befall him.

Kevin’s remains were found in a cemented drum at Persiaran Subang Mewah, Subang Jaya, near Kuala Lumpur on Sept 16.

He was reported missing on Sept 4 and was last seen leaving his apartment at Menara Duta in Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya.

On Sept 28, six men were charged with Kevin's murder while two others including the army pathologist were charged with abetment.

Kevin had been seconded to the MACC which is investigating a RM2.6 billion political donation and RM42 million from SRC International which had been deposited into the prime minister’s personal bank accounts. -Mkini