'Suaram can assist MACC in Scorpene submarines probe'

NGO Suaram's team that filed a judicial review in the French court on the Scorpene submarines deal can assist MACC in its probe into the case.

Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) executive director Cynthia Gabriel, who is former Suaram director, told Malaysiakinithat the team was pleased to know that MACC has reopened the probe, which saw former premier Najib Abdul Razak questioned on Monday.

"The whole time the Malaysian government, of course under Najib, had closed the case, (they) don't want to open (probe).

"MACC also did not do anything at that time. Now we are pleased that the case has been reopened because we were very certain of the fact that a lot of corruption had taken place," said Gabriel, who was part of the team that filed the judicial review in 2011.

She was commenting on MACC reopening its investigation into the purchase of two Scorpene submarines in 2002. 

Gabriel said they had been in contact with French prosecutors who had so far indicted five people in the case including Abdul Razak Baginda, who is a former political analyst and former close associate of Najib.

"We are offering our assistance and cooperation to MACC because a lot of information (had been presented) in the French court. We are very happy to share with them all the information that we have.

"Because they are investigating that (case) also, they already indicted four people and also Razak Baginda in France. But over here the investigation had been closed off for the longest time, so we are very glad it had been reopened.

"But we are able to share information with prosecutors and bring down French lawyers if required," she told Malaysiakini.

On Monday, it was reported that MACC has reopened the case, in which kickbacks were allegedly paid for the 2002 purchase of the two submarines from France.

Sources also told Malaysiakini that investigators might also call in others to facilitate the probe, including Razak Baginda. - Mkini