Deepak Jaikishan, the controversial carpet trader and vocal critic of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor, confirmed that he will join the political fray with an opposition coalition in the 15th general election, confessing that losing is not an option for him.
Keeping the identity of the opposition party and parliamentary constituency he would contest in a secret, Deepak (above) told Malaysiakini that he would go all out to secure a seat in Parliament but at the moment, he wanted to wait for the party to make the announcement.
“I have to win. It’s a do-or-die situation. I need to have a voice in Parliament to avoid false prosecution again because I went through that 10 years ago.
“Once I win, then, even if the (ruling) government wins, it doesn’t matter because I have a platform in Parliament. They wouldn’t dare touch me.
“They wouldn’t dare come after me with trumped-up charges simply because I already have a voice in Parliament. It gives a very different voice,” said the 50-year-old, who continues to operate his carpet business.
Early this month, Deepak failed in his bid to reinstate a lawsuit against Najib and Rosmah when the Federal Court dismissed a review application by him, his brother J Rajesh, and their company Carpet Raya Sdn Bhd over a land deal, which he alleged caused huge losses to his company.
They had also failed in their multiple suits against Najib, Rosmah, Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, Bakti Wira Development Sdn Bhd, Boustead Holdings Berhad, and Cebur Megah Development Sdn Bhd.
Meanwhile, Deepak has been raking in viewer ratings in his latest tell-all-styled interviews alleging fraud, bribery and murder conspiracies involving Najib and Rosmah, aired live on Jom Channel on Facebook.
Deepak is not a newcomer to making public disclosures about the couple especially ones involving them and other key players allegedly connected to the brutal murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu.
Prior to 2015, Deepak, who was reported to have been the country’s largest carpet manufacturer, had been heavily involved with the couple, known to be an associate of theirs and a key middle person who allegedly made large payments to a key witness in the Altantuya murder trial.
These payments were allegedly linked to the retraction of the sworn affidavit by the key witness, the late private investigator P Balasubramaniam.
However, Deepak’s estrangement from Najib and Rosmah led to a series of public confessions in which he revealed his own role in the dramatic damage control exercise on behalf of the couple, in relation to the case.
Deepak who would be campaigning face-to-face and on social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook said he has been given 10 slots with Jom Channel and would be speaking about other issues as well.
Fighting corruption
Deepak describes himself as possibly the most vocal and straightforward MP because of his non-political background.
He explained that although corruption has reached a stage where there is outright stealing taking place in the country, no one was speaking up about it.
“I believe I can be a good voice in Parliament.
“My agenda is to ensure that the people will not have to endure corrupt politicians,” he declared, promising to expose injustices or wrongdoing even if the perpetrators were his own party members.
Deepak said he would be willing to go as far as to carry out a citizen’s arrest if relevant law enforcement agencies did not want to take action.
“We will also do a sit-in outside the ministry until matters are addressed and the culprits have been taken to court,” he promised while also admitting to being afraid to carry out what no one else dared to.
Deepak, too, was reported to have been investigated by the MACC and Bank Negara but was never charged.
During the October 2014 Parliament session, the then domestic trade, consumer and cooperatives minister Hasan Malek’s role in the restructuring of Deepak’s RM32 million debt to Bank Rakyat was also questioned.
Three-term incumbent Pokok Sena MP Mahfuz Omar (Amanah) questioned if the minister’s action was in line with his responsibilities, to which Hasan confirmed that Deepak’s loan had been handled lawfully.
Deepak's loan issue cropped up after PKR’s former Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli highlighted the matter, following the emergence of a letter by Hasan, asking the bank to postpone taking legal action on the carpet businessman.
Deepak said his first order of business was to renew discussions for the enactment that will facilitate an Anti-Corruption Court that was previously introduced by the Pakatan Harapan government.
He explained critical clauses in the enactment will be to make the indicted offences non-bailable and for the seizure of assets.
“Once we introduce indicted corruption charges as non-bailable offences and for assets to be seized, it will be the first step toward eradication of corruption.
“Nothing else is going to help us. We have to strike fear. People have to be scared to be corrupt,” he stated. - Mkini
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