KL analyst cleared of abetting ex-lover's killing accuses bloggers of trying to spread lies
By
Hazlin Hassan, Malaysia Correspondent
Mr Abdul Razak spoke at a packed, 50-minute press conference yesterday, his first comments since his acquittal last month. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
KUALA LUMPUR: Political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda finally broke his silence yesterday, insisting that his murdered Mongolian ex-lover had nothing to do with Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak.
In his first comments since he was acquitted last month of having a role in the violent murder of Ms Altantuya Shaariibuu, he said Datuk Seri Najib Razak never met her.
Mr Abdul Razak also hit out at Malaysia's bloggers, who have had a field day commenting on the sensational case, accusing them of spreading lies.
At a packed, 50-minute press conference, the fiery former aide to Mr Najib was unshaven and looked a bit haggard, but did not mince his words.
He declared that he was coming out to tell the truth despite being advised that it would be futile.
'I do not want to turn a blind eye and allow the liars to prevail...To be indifferent is to be irresponsible,' he said.
His comments are unlikely to quell cyberspace rumours and conspiracy theories, which have fuelled this high-profile murder case for two years.
Bloggers have made sensational claims, all unproven, connecting Mr Najib and his wife to the Mongolian woman, who was blown up by explosives.
'I implore all of you and the public to stop spreading lies about the DPM and his wife. I know that Datuk Seri Najib and his wife had never met the deceased, Altantuya,' said Mr Abdul Razak yesterday.
'So much slander has been thrown towards the DPM and his wife. Those who have spread such lies can never produce any authentic evidence because there is none. The truth is the truth and nothing can change the truth.'
Asked how he knew that Mr Najib had never met Ms Altantuya, he simply smiled and said: 'I know...I just know.'
Another rumour rife on the blogosphere was that Ms Altantuya had been involved in a deal to purchase submarines and that was a reason why she was killed.
But Mr Abdul Razak denied this, saying the deal was made in 2002, whereas he met her only two years later.
Without naming names, he accused bloggers of spreading baseless allegations, and said that 'liars are running supreme'.
Prominent blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin is currently standing trial on a sedition charge over an article which implied that Mr Najib was involved in the Altantuya case.
Mr Abdul Razak, flanked by his lawyers and his father, said yesterday he was finding it hard to adjust to normal life after spending 22 months behind bars.
His wife and daughter, who had attended court almost daily during his trial, were not at the press conference yesterday.
Two policemen from an elite unit which guards the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, are still on trial for the Mongolian's murder.
Mr Abdul Razak said he had not met or contacted Mr Najib since his release and rejected suggestions that there had been political interference in the trial.
'I have been through the system, spent 22 months in jail, and the system has let me out,' he said. 'How can there be any interference if I went through all that?'
Mr Abdul Razak said he was planning to leave for Oxford University to complete his doctorate, but brushed aside suggestions that he was running away.
'God gave me a better option than death. I'm innocent, why should I run away?' he said.
Immediate online reactions yesterday were sceptical, with one reader on Raja Petra's website saying: 'Ladies and gentlemen, you've just read the joke of the day. Next joke, please.'
'So much slander has been thrown towards the DPM and his wife. Those who have spread such lies can never produce any authentic evidence because there is none. The truth is the truth and nothing can change the truth.'
Mr Abdul Razak Baginda
About the case
POLITICAL analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, 48, met Ms Altantuya Shaariibuu, 28, a part-time interpreter from Mongolia, at a gala party in Hong Kong in 2004. They had an affair shortly after.
She arrived in Malaysia in October 2006, apparently to track him down after their affair ended, but was turned away at his office and home. She was last seen on Oct 19 leaving her hotel.
On Nov 7, police found her body, which was shot and blown up with explosives, in a remote jungle. They picked up Mr Abdul Razak for questioning on the same day.
A week later, he was charged with abetting two policemen in her murder.
The trial started in June last year, and turned into one of the longest hearings in Malaysia's history.
As a close friend and former boss, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak has been constantly dogged by conspiracy theories linking him to the case.
Rumours surfaced that he also had an affair with Ms Altantuya and was involved in her murder - allegations that he has vehemently denied.
Although Mr Abdul Razak faced the death penalty, he was eventually cleared of the charges last month when the judge ruled that there was insufficient evidence against him.
