‘Hidden things’ may come out, Najib is told

Deputy minister Hanipa Maidin says former premier Najib Razak has no one to blame but himself.

PETALING JAYA: Any action, if any, against former premier Najib Razak in relation to the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu will be based on the rule of law, according to Hanipa Maidin, the de facto deputy minister of law.

He said Najib had to realise that once he had lost political power, he must be ready for many things “hidden” or “unknown” during his premiership coming into play now.

Hanipa’s remarks came in response to a claim by Najib’s camp that efforts were being made to shut him up through a possible arrest without bail because convicted murderer Azilah Hadri had claimed he killed a Mongolian woman on Najib’s orders.

Hanipa advised Najib not to blame others but himself.

“The Pakatan Harapan government absolutely believes in the rule of law. In the event he is sent to prison, it is the court of law which will be based on rule of law. And that is purely based on evidence not allegation,” he told FMT in a text message.

Najib’s lawyers had contended earlier today that the contents of a statutory declaration by Azilah, made public today, could be used as an excuse to have Najib arrested and detained without bail being granted.

In an FMT report an unidentified lawyer had said: “They cannot see him continuing to speak up and expose PH’s misdeeds on social media as well as in ceramahs throughout the country.”

Hanipa said the allegation by Najib was totally absurd.

Having lost political power, Najib must be ready to see many things “hidden” or “unknown” during his premiership coming into play now. “This is the supremacy of May 9, 2018. My sincere advice to him, stop blaming others. Blame yourself YB,” Hanipa said.

Azilah, one of two former policemen sentenced to death for Altantuya’s murder, has released a sworn statement from behind bars accusing Najib of giving them orders to carry out the killing.

Azilah said among other things that Abdul Razak Baginda, Altantuya’s former lover who was acquitted of her murder, and senior police officer Musa Safri, were aware of the “instructions” from Najib.

Azilah’s declaration is part of an application filed in the Federal Court last week for a review of his case. He seeks to have his conviction set aside and a fresh trial held.

The conviction and sentences were affirmed by the Federal Court in January 2015, nine years after Altantuya was killed in a forest near Subang, Shah Alam, and her body blown up with explosives.

Azilah’s partner, Sirul Azhar Umar fled to Australia, where he has been held in an immigration detention centre. He has denied that Najib was involved in the killing.

Abdul Razak was acquitted in 2008 without his defence being called to the charge of abetting Azilah and Sirul. The government did not appeal the acquittal.

Although the two former police commandos were convicted of the murder, the motive for the killing was never established. - FMT