Najib cannot remain silent on Zahid’s letter
YoursayPublished: Jan 10, 2015 12:36 AM | Updated: Jan 10, 2015 12:39 AM
YOURSAY ‘Why would Zahid pen the letter to the FBI in the first place?’
Plot thickens as IGP hints 'kingpin' findings correct
Kim Quek: In any democracy, Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi would have been investigated for abuse of power, fraud and corruption, and he would have instantly resigned, failing which he would have been suspended or removed by the PM.
And if Zahid and the PM do nothing, the entire government would have been so rocked by infuriated public opinion that it may be too paralysed to function effectively.
But in Malaysia, more than a week has lapsed, and nothing happens. While the mainstream media has blacked out the news, the PM goes into silent mode, Zahid has not uttered anything comprehensible, and the inspector-general of police continues to play ‘tai chi’ to ward off reporters’ probing questions.
Soon, this heinous misdeed, which could have sunk a democratic government, will be forgotten, and life will go on as if nothing has happened.
This is the modus operandi of how BN overcomes its scandals, however grave; and this is Malaysia the “best democracy”, Najib style.
Odin: "In the first place, Zahid's letter was not just to 'confirm' that the 14K triad did not exist in the country,” said DAP leader Lim Kit Siang.
In fact, no. That is not quite correct. If we refer to the third paragraph of Zahid's letter to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) deputy director Mark F Guiliano, we will find that he has not confirmed that the 14K triad did not exist/operate in Malaysia. He only said that Phua was not a member of nor involved with the 14K triad.
[“As such, to assist both your department and Mr Phua’s legal teams, based on our information, Mr Phua is neither a member nor is he associated with the ‘14K Triad’.”]
One may be inclined to suspect that the entity actually does exist/operate in Malaysia.
In the fourth paragraph, however, Zahid has portrayed Phua as an asset to the Malaysian government and that the latter's speedy return was desired.
[“Moreover, according to our records, Mr Phua has, on numerous occassions (sic), assisted the Government of Malaysia on projects affecting our national security and accordingly we continue to call upon him to assist us from time to time and as such we are eager for him to return to Malaysia.”]
One will be able to determine whether Phua has indeed been and is an asset to the said government only when one knows what the projects have been and are.
Louis: Zahid did not mortgage the reputation of Malaysia, he sold it for a song. Zahid, how thick is your skin? Thicker than a rhino or elephant's? You better resign. Buat malu Malaysia only.
Iiiizzzziiii: Why would Zahid pen the letter in the first place? Was Phua a very close and personal friend of his? Is there any record that shows the two of them as such?
If there are not, then the ultimate question would be the first question raised above. I do not think you will have to be a genius to know the answer.
Bahat: If you are a 14K triad member, are you obligated to inform the IGP (inspector-general of police) or the home minister you are one? You definitely not and surely you would deny it.
Then how can our home minister said there were no Malaysian 14K triad members unless he himself is heading this criminal organisation with membership no 14K-0000001 and he has the 14K’s Malaysian members log book showing Phua’s membership no of 14K-0000002?
Why and how can he verify the 14K membership? PM Najib Razak should instruct him to explain to the world how this could happen.
Real Truth: It is crystal clear that lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah wanted his client to be released from facing jail term in the United States.
That is his duty, but getting a recommendation letter from the home minister is not right and this has put Zahid in a very compromising position, putting his political career in limbo.
In any civilised country, the minister would have resigned for embarrassing the PM and Umno.
MinahBulat: Who was the author of the letter? You follow the scent; Phua was represented in the Nevada court by Chesnoff & Schonfeld. Who is the alleged underworld kingpin’s lawyer in Malaysia?
The lawyer concerned is the same one who is prosecuting Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim in the Sodomy II appeal at the Federal Court. This lawyer is a known Umno lawyer.
For such a letter to vouch the character of the alleged kingpin and to call for his safe return, only a lawyer must have drafted the letter and Zahid, the brilliant home minister that he is, could have blindly signed the letter.
1Citizen: The unholy trinity of Malaysia - the elegant silent CEO, the outsourced public prosecutor, and the chief law enforcer. God save us silent/silenced Malaysians.
Headhunter: Umno people are a funny lot. They blame the Chinese for everything and yet behind the scene, their best buddies are Chinese and not their own people.
Filthy rich and well-connected Chinese, I might add.
The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now.
These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.
Plot thickens as IGP hints 'kingpin' findings correct
Kim Quek: In any democracy, Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi would have been investigated for abuse of power, fraud and corruption, and he would have instantly resigned, failing which he would have been suspended or removed by the PM.And if Zahid and the PM do nothing, the entire government would have been so rocked by infuriated public opinion that it may be too paralysed to function effectively.
But in Malaysia, more than a week has lapsed, and nothing happens. While the mainstream media has blacked out the news, the PM goes into silent mode, Zahid has not uttered anything comprehensible, and the inspector-general of police continues to play ‘tai chi’ to ward off reporters’ probing questions.
Soon, this heinous misdeed, which could have sunk a democratic government, will be forgotten, and life will go on as if nothing has happened.
This is the modus operandi of how BN overcomes its scandals, however grave; and this is Malaysia the “best democracy”, Najib style.
Odin: "In the first place, Zahid's letter was not just to 'confirm' that the 14K triad did not exist in the country,” said DAP leader Lim Kit Siang.
In fact, no. That is not quite correct. If we refer to the third paragraph of Zahid's letter to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) deputy director Mark F Guiliano, we will find that he has not confirmed that the 14K triad did not exist/operate in Malaysia. He only said that Phua was not a member of nor involved with the 14K triad.
[“As such, to assist both your department and Mr Phua’s legal teams, based on our information, Mr Phua is neither a member nor is he associated with the ‘14K Triad’.”]
One may be inclined to suspect that the entity actually does exist/operate in Malaysia.
In the fourth paragraph, however, Zahid has portrayed Phua as an asset to the Malaysian government and that the latter's speedy return was desired.
[“Moreover, according to our records, Mr Phua has, on numerous occassions (sic), assisted the Government of Malaysia on projects affecting our national security and accordingly we continue to call upon him to assist us from time to time and as such we are eager for him to return to Malaysia.”]
One will be able to determine whether Phua has indeed been and is an asset to the said government only when one knows what the projects have been and are.
Louis: Zahid did not mortgage the reputation of Malaysia, he sold it for a song. Zahid, how thick is your skin? Thicker than a rhino or elephant's? You better resign. Buat malu Malaysia only.
Iiiizzzziiii: Why would Zahid pen the letter in the first place? Was Phua a very close and personal friend of his? Is there any record that shows the two of them as such?
If there are not, then the ultimate question would be the first question raised above. I do not think you will have to be a genius to know the answer.
Bahat: If you are a 14K triad member, are you obligated to inform the IGP (inspector-general of police) or the home minister you are one? You definitely not and surely you would deny it.
Then how can our home minister said there were no Malaysian 14K triad members unless he himself is heading this criminal organisation with membership no 14K-0000001 and he has the 14K’s Malaysian members log book showing Phua’s membership no of 14K-0000002?
Why and how can he verify the 14K membership? PM Najib Razak should instruct him to explain to the world how this could happen.
Real Truth: It is crystal clear that lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah wanted his client to be released from facing jail term in the United States.
That is his duty, but getting a recommendation letter from the home minister is not right and this has put Zahid in a very compromising position, putting his political career in limbo.
In any civilised country, the minister would have resigned for embarrassing the PM and Umno.
MinahBulat: Who was the author of the letter? You follow the scent; Phua was represented in the Nevada court by Chesnoff & Schonfeld. Who is the alleged underworld kingpin’s lawyer in Malaysia?
The lawyer concerned is the same one who is prosecuting Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim in the Sodomy II appeal at the Federal Court. This lawyer is a known Umno lawyer.
For such a letter to vouch the character of the alleged kingpin and to call for his safe return, only a lawyer must have drafted the letter and Zahid, the brilliant home minister that he is, could have blindly signed the letter.
1Citizen: The unholy trinity of Malaysia - the elegant silent CEO, the outsourced public prosecutor, and the chief law enforcer. God save us silent/silenced Malaysians.
Headhunter: Umno people are a funny lot. They blame the Chinese for everything and yet behind the scene, their best buddies are Chinese and not their own people.
Filthy rich and well-connected Chinese, I might add.
The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now.
These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.
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