Malaysia's No. 2 leader rejects opposition claims of corruption
PR-Inside (14/5/08): Malaysia's deputy prime minister defended himself Wednesday against accusations of corruption that the opposition says make him unfit to become the country's leader.
Najib Razak, who is also defense minister, has been increasingly targeted by the opposition, which has sought to link him to scandals, including allegedly dubious defense
contracts and the slaying of a Mongolian woman.
In a speech to Parliament, Najib said the opposition has made "completely baseless" claims that major military procurements conducted by his ministry were tainted by graft.
Many politicians expect Najib to succeed Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. After their ruling coalition suffered stinging losses in March general elections, Abdullah pledged to hand over power to Najib in a leadership transition they would start planning after December.
Najib rejected accusations that his ministry misled the public about deals to buy French submarines in 2002 and Russian fighter aircraft in 2003. Opposition leaders have claimed massive commissions were paid to facilitators of the two deals.
"There's no need" for an independent inquiry into the purchases, Najib said.
Rivals have also claimed Najib was involved in the slaying of a Mongolian interpreter, Altantuya Shaariibuu, in late 2006. Two policemen are on trial for allegedly using explosives to destroy Shaariibuu's remains in a jungle clearing near Kuala Lumpur.
Abdul Razak Baginda, one of Najib's close associates, has been charged with abetting the murder of Shaariibuu, with whom Abdul Razak had an affair.
Najib reiterated Wednesday that he was not involved in the death and said he never met Shaariibuu.
Opposition activists have not produced solid evidence to substantiate their claims against Najib, but have widely spread their criticism through public speeches and Web sites. (AP)
Najib Razak, who is also defense minister, has been increasingly targeted by the opposition, which has sought to link him to scandals, including allegedly dubious defense
contracts and the slaying of a Mongolian woman.
In a speech to Parliament, Najib said the opposition has made "completely baseless" claims that major military procurements conducted by his ministry were tainted by graft.
Many politicians expect Najib to succeed Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. After their ruling coalition suffered stinging losses in March general elections, Abdullah pledged to hand over power to Najib in a leadership transition they would start planning after December.
Najib rejected accusations that his ministry misled the public about deals to buy French submarines in 2002 and Russian fighter aircraft in 2003. Opposition leaders have claimed massive commissions were paid to facilitators of the two deals.
"There's no need" for an independent inquiry into the purchases, Najib said.
Rivals have also claimed Najib was involved in the slaying of a Mongolian interpreter, Altantuya Shaariibuu, in late 2006. Two policemen are on trial for allegedly using explosives to destroy Shaariibuu's remains in a jungle clearing near Kuala Lumpur.
Abdul Razak Baginda, one of Najib's close associates, has been charged with abetting the murder of Shaariibuu, with whom Abdul Razak had an affair.
Najib reiterated Wednesday that he was not involved in the death and said he never met Shaariibuu.
Opposition activists have not produced solid evidence to substantiate their claims against Najib, but have widely spread their criticism through public speeches and Web sites. (AP)
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