Cops dare Raja Petra to file report over RM43mil theft claim

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have told blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin to have the guts to make a police report instead of hiding behind the cyber curtain, after he accused the force of stealing RM43.3mil in cash during raids linked to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s case.

“Be brave enough to lodge a report in Malaysia,” said Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Seri Amar Singh.

“I will not pay heed to such a writer. He has branded himself as an investigative journalist, but he is more like a mercenary writer.

“His allegation is baseless. If he really has credible information, then be brave enough to lodge a report in Malaysia.

“Don’t hide behind a cyber curtain,” Comm Amar told a press conference yesterday.

The blogger was basing his allegation on different amounts of seized cash announced during a series of press conferences on the investigation into the former prime minister over the last four months, he said.

Setting the record straight, Comm Amar said he had initially announced during a May 25 press conference that some RM114mil was seized from a unit at Pavilion Residences following raids the week before.

“However, after all the cash had been rounded up from six premises linked to the former prime minister, the tallied amount seized was RM116mil, as announced during my June 20 press conference.

“He (Najib) had then lodged a report that some RM160mil was actually seized, but he could not substantiate it,” he said.

If someone claimed a certain amount of cash was seized, they must prove it with bank account statements or other evidence, he added.

He said he was sure that the cash discovered during the raids was the same amount seized by the police.

“I am not taking it lightly, any party accusing the police of stealing money.

“I urge Raja Petra to come forward and lodge the report. If it turns out to be false, he will face the full brunt of the law,” he said.

Furthermore, in all the raids, there were some 50 police personnel at the scene with video cameras and recording devices as well as media personnel, making it impossible for the police to carry out such a theft undetected, Comm Amar said.

The counting of the cash seized was conducted by Bank Negara officials, he added.

“The cash, along with other seized items and jewellery, is being stored at Bank Negara,” he said.

He said it was unfortunate that the blogger’s accusation might tarnish his image as director as well as his officers and personnel who were at the location at that time.

I am not taking it lightly, any party accusing the police of stealing money. Comm Datuk Seri Amar Singh