Najib denies power abuse ... again

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 - Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak again denied any abuse of power in in the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case, telling Barisan Nasional MPs today that his associate Abdul Razak Baginda would be free if there was any interference.

"Najib said there is no abuse of power. If he did, Razak would be free," a BN lawmaker told The Malaysian Insider after the breakfast meeting outside Parliament with Najib who, as BN chief whip, holds regular strategy meetings with the coalition's lawmakers.

The deputy prime minister made similar denials two days ago as he tries to quell a fresh storm of allegations swirling around the case after Malaysia Today carried a report detailing what it alleged was an exchange of text messages between Najib and prominent lawyer Datuk Shafee Abdullah.

The lawyer initially represented Abdul Razak who was eventually charged with abetting two police officers in the murder of Altantuya in 2006.

Opposition politicians and critics have seized on text message exchanges published in the Malaysia Today news portal, whose editor Raja Petra Kamarudin is detained under the Internal Security Act and is facing criminal charges of sedition and criminal defamation related to the murder case.

In one SMS, Najib allegedly tells the lawyer that Razak - his advisor - "will face a tentative charge but all is not lost".

Malaysia Today said this message raises some questions about Najib's role in the case. "Why did he mention 'tentative' charge and that 'all is not lost' for RB (Razak Baginda)? How would Najib know this before Razak was charged? These are important questions which will have ramifications, not just on this case but far beyond," a posting on the website said.

Meanwhile, Najib also told Umno lawmakers present at the meeting to reply and rebut allegations with substance, noting that some of them have done well with amply researched materials in the on-going budget debate.

"He told us that accusations such as the Eurocopter deal cannot be left unchallenged as public perception is important," another BN lawmaker told The Malaysian Insider, referring to opposition claims that the recently-announced Eurocopter contract to replace the air force Nuri helicopters was rushed and too pricey.

Najib, who is aiming to replace Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as prime minister next march, also cautioned Umno MPs not to hurt the feelings and sensitivities of lawmakers from BN component parties in their parliament replies as relations in the BN are tense following some racial slurs and statements by the Malay lawmakers.

-TMI