VZCZCXRO9046
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHKL #0572/01 1850918
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 030918Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1304
INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUALA LUMPUR 000572
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/MTS AND INR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/03/2028
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR MARR KDEM KJUS MY
SUBJECT: ANWAR IMPLICATES DPM NAJIB IN MURDER CASE
REF: A. KUALA LUMPUR 570 - GOM DELIVERS PROTEST TO USG
B. KUALA LUMPUR 563 - ANWAR ON OFFENSIVE
C. KUALA LUMPUR 557 - ANWAR TAKES REFUGE
D. KUALA LUMPUR 73 - PROSECUTOR DOWNBEAT ON MURDER
CASE
E. 07 KUALA LUMPUR 291
Classified By: Political Section Chief Mark D. Clark, reason 1.4 (b and
d).
Summary
-------
1. (C) A private investigator's legal deposition, revealed
by Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on July 3, implicates
Deputy Prime Minister Najib in the high-profile Altantuya
murder case. The deposition, based primarily on statements
reportedly made by Altantuya and murder defendant Razak
Baginda, indicates that Najib had an affair with Altantuya,
Altantuya assisted Najib in the controversial purchase of
French submarines, and Najib attempted to intervene on Razak
Baginda's behalf at the time of his arrest. The investigator
claims that this information was suppressed by police and
ignored by prosecutors. Anwar's revelation of this
information comes as he launches a political offensive
following recent sodomy allegations, which he believes were
instigated by Najib. Meanwhile, Anwar and the Opposition
coalition are set to begin a series of nationwide rallies,
including a major gathering on July 6 near Kuala Lumpur. The
national police chief announced the military would join the
police in tackling illegal assemblies in an emergency
situation, a role the military last played during the 1969
politically-inspired race riots. Najib and the government of
Prime Minister Abdullah will need to respond, both to Anwar's
explosive revelations, but also to the Opposition leader's
political offensive, including plans to hold nationwide
rallies. End Summary.
Explosive Revelations
---------------------
2. (SBU) On July 3, as the next step in his energized
political offensive, former DPM and de facto opposition
coalition leader Anwar Ibrahim released a statutory
declaration (similar to a deposition in the U.S. system),
made by private investigator P. Balasubramaniam on July 1,
linking Deputy Prime Minister Najib to murder victim
Altantuya Shaariibuu (ref e) and implicating Najib in efforts
to subvert the investigation of the case. (Najib's advisor
Razak Baginda and two members of Najib's security detail are
currently on trial for murder in this case.) Anwar produced
the explosive affidavit during a press conference on July 3,
with Balasubramaniam standing by his side.
3. (SBU) Balasubramaniam bases his statement on
conversations he had with Razak Baginda and with Altantuya;
on events he witnessed acting as Razak Baginda's
investigator; and his experiences under arrest and in the
courtroom at the opening stage of the murder trial. Among
other things, the affidavit includes the following damaging
allegations against Najib and others:
-- Najib and Altantuya had an affair and that Najib
introduced her to Baginda. (Note: Najib has repeatedly
denied knowing Altantuya. End note.)
-- Najib, along with Razak Baginda, was with Altantuya in
Paris in connection with the negotiations for the purchase of
French submarines, and that Altantuya believed she was due
$500,000 for her services.
-- Najib asked Razak Baginda to take care of Altantuya, as
Najib did not want Altantuya harassing him.
-- Najib, in a text message, told Razak Baginda he would meet
with Inspector General of Police Musa Hassan to resolve the
issue of Razak Baginda's impending arrest for murder.
-- Police omitted the above information that Balasubramaniam
provided during his seven-day interrogation regarding the
murder, and that prosecutors never addressed any questions to
him during his court appearances.
4. (SBU) Anwar stated it was evident the police and
prosecution team, especially IGP Musa Hassan and Attorney
General Abdul Gani manipulated the case to protect the DPM
and hide any linkages of the DPM to Altantuya. He declared
that the declaration further confirmed a clear and consistent
pattern of manipulation of the criminal justice system since
1998. Anwar continued by saying he is worried the IGP and AG
will again manipulate evidence and statements during the
probe into alleged sodomy charges against Anwar (ref A - C).
5. (SBU) Anwar's incendiary revelations follow a statutory
declaration by controversial blogger Raja Petra in which he
alleged that Najib's wife, Rosmah, was present at scene of
Altantuya's murder. In addition, on July 1 Anwar publicly
accused Najib and Rosmah for being behind the current sodomy
allegations against Anwar, which is now under police
investigation.
Taking the Campaign Against Najib on the road
---------------------------------------------
6. (SBU) On another front, Anwar starts a nationwide tour
with a rally in Penang on July 5 followed by an appearance at
a rally in Shah Alam on July 6. The Opposition hope to use
the Shah Alam rally, originally intended as a protest against
the fuel price hikes, as a show of support for their cause
against the government. Anwar and other Peoples Alliance
(opposition coalition) leaders are urging their supporters to
attend and hope for a massive turnout (a minimum of 50,000
people) in order to send a message to the government and add
credibility to Anwar's claims that he can bring down the
government through the defection of enough government MPs by
his announced target of September 16.
Police-Military Joint Exercise to Maintain Public Order
--------------------------------------------- ----------
7. (C) At a joint press conference between the Inspector
General of Police Musa Hassan and Armed Forces Chief Abdul
Aziz Zainal on July 2, Musa Hassan stated that the
cooperation between the security forces is crucial because
political parties, NGOs, and individuals were organizing more
illegal assemblies. They announced the police and armed
forces began a joint training exercise to maintain crowd
control and public order. Musa said the police and military
would work together to tackle illegal assemblies only if
absolutely necessary and in the event of a declared
emergency. The tabletop command post exercise began July 2
is expected to run until July 7. Another joint exercise is
planned in September (coinciding with the deadline Anwar set
to bring down the ruling government). The last time joint
police and military force was used to maintain public order
was during the politically motivated 1969 race riots. In
1974, a contingent of rangers was deployed to university
campuses to control student protests (coincidentally led by
then student activist Anwar Ibrahim). Police chief Musa
Hassan stated use of military forces during a public
disturbance would only take place after consultation with the
Home Ministry and Defense Ministry. A senior military staff
member told the DATT that the military is not anxious to take
on police roles, but is closely watching events.
Comment
-------
8. (C) Anwar and Najib have entered a very high stakes
political game. The risks to both men are tremendous, and
not limited to their political careers. Najib will be
damaged by the latest serious allegations, coming on the
heels of other statements implicating him and his wife in the
murder, and the existing widespread public belief that the
ongoing Altantuya murder trial has been the subject of
political manipulation. Najib and the government of Prime
Minister Abdullah will need to respond, both to Anwar's
explosive revelations, but also to the Opposition leader's
political offensive, including plans to hold nationwide
rallies.
KEITH