Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 - Minutes after the succession plan was announced on Thursday, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak swore on the name of Allah that he was not connected to the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case.
This was the clearest sign yet of how the allegations have draped themselves around Najib's shoulder like a heavy quilt since it was first raised during the Ijok by-election a year ago.
Before a crowd of loyalists and staunch supporters, he was forced to say: "Wallahi Wabillahi Watalahhi, I do not know this woman Altantuya.''
The line went down well with the delegates in the Putra World Centre, who responded with robust applause. The fact that the DPM had to address this issue on arguably the biggest day of his political life so far shows the impact these allegations have had - even among party faithful.
Before P Balasubramaniam stunned the country with his statutory declaration, alleging that Najib knew Altantuya and had been intimate with her, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Opposition identified this case as Najib's weak spot.
They zoomed in on the involvement of Abdul Razak Baginda – Najib's advisor - in the murder of the Mongolian model - and the emergence of the DPM's aide-de-camp as the person who introduced Abdul Razak to the two police personnel who allegedly killed her.
In an interview published in Mingguan Malaysia today, Najib said that the tactic used by the Opposition was aimed at hurting his chances of becoming the PM.
"They continuously say something or repeat an untruth and slander, and the idea is to create some doubt. This is what is called perception. In politics, perception is more important than reality.
"I know this game and I will face it…If we are on the right side, there is nothing to fear? Only if we have done wrong, should we be frightened, '' he said.
He is right about the power of perception. He has been anointed prime-minister-in-waiting by Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and endorsed by many in Umno as the most qualified to lead the country.
But until all the questions surrounding the Altantuya case are answered satisfactorily, the Opposition will press home their advantage and make sure that he carries the burden of perception every day.
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