EXPLOSIVE

EXPOSE BY MACC

THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) yesterday dropped a bombshell, releasing audio clips allegedly implicating former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, and several others in what was described as an indication of “abuse of power” and “subversion of justice”.

The audio clips featured conversations allegedly involving not just Najib and Rosmah, but also former MACC chief Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad and former Tabung Haji chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim.

Also in the audio clips were conversations allegedly involving two foreigners — a member of royalty and a company executive in the Middle East.

The clips, almost 50 minutes long in total, were played during a press conference called by MACC Chief Commissioner Latheefa Koya, who described the contents as “shocking, sordid and very disturbing”.

“We can see criminal conspiracy, obstruction of justice, compromising security and serious issues arising from abuse of powers,” she said.

Latheefa said MACC received the recordings after the new year.

The conversations allegedly took place between Jan 5 and July 29, 2016, she said.

She said upon receiving the recordings, MACC conducted a forensic examination to determine their authenticity, as well as the identities of those in the audio clips.

“We have been given the recordings... pursuant to investigations, we can confirm their absolute authenticity.”

One of the conversations, which was recorded on Jan 5, 2016, involved Dzulkifli, who was then a prosecutor at the Attorney-General’s Chambers, and Najib.

Latheefa said the conversation revolved around an investigation paper.

“There is an obvious leakage of information from the A-G’s Chambers to whom we believe was a subject of investigation. So this is one serious issue of leakage.”

In another clip, a man who sounded like Najib could be heard asking for a special request from someone, whom he repeatedly referred to as “Your Highness”.

The request centred around a loan agreement with a payment schedule for his son, whom the man referred to as Riza.

It is understood that this was in reference to Najib’s stepson, Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz.

In July last year, Riza had pleaded not guilty to five charges of involvement in money laundering activities involving US$248 million, which was misappropriated from strategic development company 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

Another audio recording allegedly between Rosmah and Najib had piqued the interest of those in the packed media conference room as the woman caller was heard raising her voice, sounding quite annoyed over matters she felt Najib should do.

Meanwhile, when asked by reporters whether what she released to the media would impact the ongoing trials involving Najib, Latheefa said she did not see how it could be prejudicial to the cases.

“We will submit the recordings to the authorities, including the police, as some of the offences involve the Penal Code,” she said, adding that the recordings would be handed to the police as soon as possible.

She said the recordings were of public interest and affected national security as there appeared to be elements of power abuse, fabrication of evidence and leakage of information protected under the Official Secrets Act.

“This is shocking. There were cover-ups and a subversion of justice and institution.”

“In this whole sordid episode of betrayal of public trust and criminality, we can be thankful that there was one brave public servant who knew his duty — Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed.”

Abu Kassim was MACC chief at the time that these telephone exchanges allegedly took place. He was replaced by Dzulkifli on Aug 1, 2016.

Abu Kassim is now the directorgeneral of the National Centre for Governance, Integrity and AntiCorruption.

Latheefa declined to disclose details when asked how MACC received the recordings.

“MACC receives all kinds of information either through surat

layang (poison pen letters), thumb drives or compact discs,” she said.