PI retracts stunning statutory declaration

Private investigator P Balasubramaniam today retracted his stunning statutory declaration which had linked Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to murdered Mongolianf Altantuya Shaariibuu.

The said declaration claimed that Najib had a sexual relationship with Altantuya and that he was the one who had introduced the deceased to political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda.

In his new statutory declaration dated July 4, Balasubramaniam said that he was forced to make his earlier declaration under duress.

"I wish to retract the first declaration. I was compelled to affirm the July 1 declaration under duress," the new statutory declaration read.

He however did not reveal who forced him to affirm the first declaration.

Balasubramaniam disclosed this during a brief press conference at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur this morning. Also present was lawyer M Arulampalam.

The press conference was so hastily organised that just about every reporter missed it with the exception of Bernama.

Balasubramaniam, who wore a baseball cap, did not say much but handed out his latest statutory declaration to those present and left soon after.

‘Inaccurate and not the truth’

According to the new statutory declaration, Balasubramaniam retracted all the statements he made on July 1 as they were "inaccurate and not the truth." He also stated that:

a) At no material time did Abdul Razak inform me that he was introduced to Altantuya Shaariibuu by a VIP;

b) At no material time did Abdul Razak inform me that Najib had a sexual relationship with Altantuya Shaariibuu and that she was susceptible to anal intercourse;

c) At no material time did Abdul Razak inform me that Najib instructed Abdul Razak to look after Altantuya as he did not want her to harass him since he was the deputy prime minister;

d) At no material time did Abdul Razak and /or Altantuya inform me that Najib, together with Abdul Razak and Altantuya had met and all of them were together at a dinner in Paris;

e) At no material time did Altantuya inform me that she wanted money in the sum of USD$500,000.00 as commission for a submarine deal she assisted with in Paris;

f) At no time whatsoever did Abdul Razak and/or Altantuya inform me that Najib met with Altantuya in Singapore;

g) At no time whatsoever did Altantuya inform me that she wanted me to arrange to see Najib;

h) At no time did I tell the police during the course of their investigations about any relationship between Najib and Altantuya as no such relationship existed to my knowledge. Accordingly, the statement I signed before the police is complete;

i) At no time did Abdul Razak inform me that he had sent Najib an SMS the evening before he was arrested; and

j) At no time did Abdul Razak inform me that Najib had sent him an SMS on the day of his arrest to the effect that he was going to see the Inspector-General of Police (Musa Hassan) that day and that the matter should be resolved and for Abdul Razak to remain calm.

Meanwhile, Balasubramaniam’s lawyer, Americk Singh Sidhu, who was with the former yesterday when he made the stunning revelations, was "absolutely unaware" of the latest development.

Americk told Malaysiakini that Balasubramaniam received a phone call from the police soon after his press conference yesterday to report to see them in Brickfields.

"I advised him that as a law-abiding citizen, he should go and see them."

Balasubramaniam left Americk's office and he hasn't heard from him since. Americk (right) stressed that he was unable to contact Balasubramaniam since this news broke out.

Balasubramaniam's statutory declaration was affirmed before commissioner of oaths Zainal Abidin Muhayat, bearing an address that has been traced to Zul Rafique & Partners - a pro-establishment law firm owned by Zulkifly Rafique who is Federal Territories minister Zulhasnan Rafique's brother.

Balasubramaniam, at the press conference yesterday where PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim was also present, said that he had heard from Abdul Razak of the links between Najib and Altantuya.

He revealed that Najib had also informed Abdul Razak that Musa Hassan would 'take care' of the murder case which implicated the political analyst.

He further revealed that his evidence linking Najib to the murdered Mongolian was removed by the police and prosecutors during the murder trial - a move seen to protect the deputy premier.

Balasubramaniam, who is a former special branch personnel, was hired by Abdul Razak to deal with Altantuya in 2006 when she started ‘harassing' him.

The private investigator had said that he made the July 1 statutory declaration that implicates Najib because the prosecution wrapped up their case against Abdul Razak without raising his revelations.

Balasubramaniam, who was the first prosecution witness in the trial, was not asked about Altantuya’s connection with Najib when the hearings began in June last year.

Abdul Razak and two special action force officers - Sirul Azhar Umar and Azilah Hadri - are currently being tried for the Mongolian’s murder.

Attempts to contact Balasubramaniam and Arulampalam for more information surrounding the new statutory declaration has been unsuccessful.

However, the lawyer’s office clarified that "Arulampalam does not represent Balasubramaniam, but was just his representative."

Police have some explaining to do

Veteran opposition leader Lim Kit Siang said police must explain their involvement in the case, after Balasubramanian's lawyer said the about-face came after he was summoned to speak to police.

Lim said the whole affair "can only plunge national and international confidence in the integrity, credibility and legitimacy of the Abdullah administration to a new nadir".

The political crisis could escalate on Sunday when Anwar's Pakatan Rakyat is pushing ahead with a major demonstration against a recent fuel price hike, despite a police ban and fears authorities may use force.

"We call on Malaysians who support the movement for a more just and transparent government to join this Sunday's peaceful gathering. We also call upon Malaysians not to be influenced by outside provocation," Anwar said.

The 60-year-old opposition leader - who has said he has the numbers to oust the government with the help of defecting lawmakers - has promised to slash fuel prices if he comes to power.

Anwar's PKR said that two youth members were arrested today for distributing pamphlets promoting the protest, and condemned the move as an act of intimidation.


Bala's new statutory declaration in full

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