New target of attack on Najib — his wife

New target of attack on Najib — his wife
29 May, 2008

The Malaysian Insider

The Opposition today opened another front in its ongoing attack on Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, this time zooming in on his wife.

In the past, Parti Keadilan Rakyat politicians have attempted to link Najib to the murder of Mongolian model Altantuya Shariibuu and pressured him on several defence deals, including the purchase of submarines.

Today, the focus was on Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

Gombak MP Azmin Ali alleged that Malaysian High Commissions and embassies abroad had to incur "unofficial" expenses while taking care of wives of VIPs. For example, he said that the mission in London have to pay taxes, transport and excess baggage charges incurred by Rosmah when she accompanied Najib on a trip last year.

"It is among the highest cost incurred by the mission there. I won't say this if there is no proof. We have got the initial report from the Malaysian High Commission there," he said.

His comments brought shouts of disapprovals from several backbenchers including Dr Ahmad Fuad Zarkashi and a rebuttal from Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim.

The minister said that the Malaysian High Commission in the United Kingdom said it only received Najib and Rosmah on their arrival there.

"The High Commission had stated that it had not made a single payment, which was not relevant, on behalf of the deputy Prime Minister's wife. What he is saying is not true," said Rais.

Azmin did not let up and wondered how the Malaysian High Commission could have replied to his query in the House so quickly.

"It is still morning in London. How could our High Commissioner in the United Kingdom complete the investigation in such a short time," he said.

Najib made light of Azmin's claim. "I don't want to comment on something as petty and frivolous as that. This is not true anyway," he said.