The unfolding media drama on self-proclaimed Lebanese billionaire Dr Elie Youssef Najm has raised questions that are crying out for an official response on possible action.

Since his 'generosity' was unveiled at a hasty press conference last Saturday, newspapers have front-paged a series of increasingly outrageous claims by the 45-year-old businessman, including his estimated nett asset worth of US$46 billion.

Elie ( pix, left ) had announced a US$275 million donation to the National Cancer Council (Makna) to build a state-of-the-art children's cancer research and treatment facility and insisted that the project will begin in mid-February within the KLCC area.

Malaysiakini had quoted him as saying that three Saudi princes who were his business associates would be visiting Malaysia this month to make further contributions to Makna.

Since then, newspapers have revealed that he has overstayed in the country; he is apparently wanted by authorities in three countries and by Interpol; and that he has allegedly left a trail of bounced cheques in Malaysia.

There has been little official comment on how the police and other authorities are dealing with such allegations or his claims.

Elie, meanwhile, has been holding court daily at his Villa Putra Condominium near the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

For all his claims of having a huge business empire, this has not been verified. An Internet search could not establish his purported ownership of a Canadian caf chain.

Extensive coverage

Newspapers, meanwhile, have been trying to out-do each other with revelations prompted mainly by public tip-offs.

Elie, who holds a social visit pass that expired on Sept 21 last year, is said to be currently on a RM20,000 bail, but the nature of the charge is not known.

The Star today quoted Immigration Department enforcement director Ishak Mohamed as saying that they cannot intervene if, as press reports claim, Elie's passport has been impounded by the courts.

The newspaper previously reported Elie's claim that he had extended a RM2 billion loan to finance the construction of the Penang Bridge, but Works Minister S Samy Vellu and Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon have refuted this.

Denying allegations of fraud following numerous complaints of resources mismanagement, debts worth millions of ringgit and bounced cheques, the businessman said his identity has been mistaken with that of a namesake, a Somalian in Canada.

One newspaper has begun checking into his marital status. According to a Utusan Online report, Kedah Islamic Affairs Department (Jaik) plans to lodge a police report against Elie for allegedly marrying a local Muslim, Farinnie Mohd Farid, 19, and remaining a Christian.

Jaik president Sheikh Kassim Saad was quoted as saying that the marriage certificate Elie had shown the press carrying the department's stamp was a forgery. He said marriage certificates are stamped with the name of the respective marriage officer or imam .

The website also quoted an unnamed brother-in-law as saying that the girl's family had consented to the marriage after confirming Elie's conversion to Islam.

'List the charges'

The overdose of information in the media has left activists baffled.

Migrant workers rights advocate Dr Irene Fernandez noted the absence of official confirmation on Elie's immigration status.

"Why haven't the police clarified the claims and allegations, and revealed the charges he is facing in court? This would explain the basis for compounding his passport and whether he has a spouse visa, she said when contacted today.

"If he has committed an offence, then the due process of the law should take place."

Referring to media reports quoting Elie's former staff and suppliers complaining about bounced cheques, she speculated it could be due to an account that has been frozen by the bank for some reason.

"I'm still very unclear as to the fraud he has been accused of committing. Have all his former staff filed a report with the relevant authorities and if so, have the police acted on these?"

Fernandez was not happy about the on-going trial by media.

"It is wrong, regardless of who it involves. The authorities should act promptly and come up with a speedy and effective explanation to put a stop to this media drama.

"It is for the Malaysian police to contact Interpol to determine if he is indeed wanted in other countries."

She also felt that, as someone married to a Malaysian, Elie's place should be by his pregnant wife's side and that he should not be deported.

Contradictory reports

Malacca-based senior lawyer RR Chelvarajah wants the authorities to clear the air on the Lebanese businessman's purpose of visiting Malaysia.

"He continues to make fantastic claims. The whole thing is wishy-washy. What is the status of Elie in the country?" he asked when contacted.

"Enough of contradictory reports and claims from him and of those who have made various allegations against him. This is where the gullible public has to be protected. The authorities concerned should reveal his actual status and handle the matter appropriately."

Chelvarajah, a former Bar president, said the public is further confused by the media's description of Elie as a billionaire.

"Sometimes single inverted commas are used for the word 'billionaire', but other times it is not. I don't think the public understands the subtle distinction being made."

He was also concerned about the delay by officials in clarifying Elie's claims as well as the allegations against him.

"The fact that the Makna president is a former deputy minister gives credibility to the billion-ringgit pledge and if authorities don't clear the matter, it may be open to continued abuse."