Najib's aide says can't recall RPK sedition charge over Altantuya murder

The prime minister's press secretary told the High Court in Kuala Lumpur today that he could not recall sedition charges brought against blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin for allegedly linking Najib Abdul Razak to the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibu.

Tengku Sariffuddin Tengku Ahmad (above, right) said this during cross-examination by lawyer Mohd Haniff Khatri Abdulla.

Haniff was questioning Tengku Sariffuddin for using Raja Petra as a source for a series of allegedly defamatory statements suggesting that Bersatu deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir was conspiring with his father Mahathir Mohamad to topple Najib.

When Tengku Sariffuddin said he was unsure about the sedition charges against the blogger, Haniff, representing Mukhriuz, asked him to read out an excerpt from a May 7, 2008, posting which detailed the court case.

Haniff: At the time, what was your occupation?
Tengku Sariffuddin: I was press secretary to the deputy prime minister.

Haniff: Who was the deputy prime minister then?
Tengku Sariffuddin: Datuk Seri Najib

Haniff: The allegations against Raja Petra were about the killing of Altantuya?
Tengku Sariffuddin: Agreed.

Haniff: Who was the politician accused of the murder?
Tengku Sariffuddin: Najib

Haniff: If Najib was accused of being involved, how can you not know (of the charge) ?

Tengku Sariffuddin: I can't recall.

Haniff: You can't recall?
Tengku Sariffuddin: I can't recall.

[More to follow] -Mkini