S'gor happy to assist MACC to probe Scorpene deal

The Selangor government wants the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate allegations that Najib Razak had asked US$1 billion (RM3 billion) for Syarikat Perimekar Sdn Bhd over the Scorpene submarines negotiations.

Selangor MB Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said his government is “shocked with the discovery of proof by French prosecutors that link then defence minister Najib Razak” to the alleged “bribe”.

“This matter cannot be taken lightly by the Malaysian authorities especially the MACC, seeing that the individual implicated is now holding the highest post in the government as well as the chairperson of BN Selangor,” said Khalid (right) in a statement today.

He was responding to a fax showing that Najib had asked for the amount for Perimekar as a condition for a meeting between French shipmaker DCN's subsidiary DCNI and himself on July 14, 2001.

NGO Suaram had on Thursday disclosed the fax, one of 153 documents in the possession of the French prosecution.

Khalid urged MACC to investigate the matter as it involves “abuse of power” in relation to the controversial Scorpene deal, and offered his administration’s assistance.

“If the MACC has technical problems from the point of law in starting investigations, the state government is prepared to assist the commission in getting expert advice from international law experts,” said the MB.

“If needed, the anti-corruption fund from the Geran Selangorku can also be channelled to assist in the efforts,” he added.

Perimekar is wholly owned by KS Ombak Laut Sdn Bhd, that is controlled by Abdul Razak Baginda, a close confidante of Najib’s.

Last June Defence Minister Zahid Ahmad Hamidi in a parliamentary reply denied that Perimekar had been paid a commission over the deal, saying instead it had received RM0.57 billion for “coordination services”.

The two submarines and its related expenditures had by that time rung up a total of RM7.3 billion.