Scorpenes-Altantuya: The Third Man Continues To Mystify

Written by  Maclean Patrick

The whole Altantuya episode has taken a new twist after French investigators revealed that a third person had travelled with Razak Baginda and the sultry Mongolian translator during their trips overseas to negotiate in the sprawling Malaysian submarines acquisition.

Although, there is widespread speculation the third person was Najib Razak, who was then Defence Minister, one must not jump the gun and disregard other possibilities.

Until and when the French investigators releases the name of the third individual, one must it is not Najib. Yet, this does not exclude Najib from the list nor preclude the fact that he actually has the highest probability of being Mr X - or in Sodomy II terms, the 'Male Y'.

Najib has repeatedly denied involvement with Altantuya Shaaribuu, whom it is believed was his former mistress before he passed her over to his best friend Razak Baginda. Under enormous pressure from UMNO and with an eye to the coveted premiership, Najib who was by then also DPM, took an oath on the Quran that he never knew her.

Yet, would it have been possible for Najib not to have known Altantuya?

What The French Probe Fished Out

As Defence Minister, Najib would have full knowledge of all things pertaining to the purchase of substantial equipment. A purchase this large and complicated and involving the use of billions of ringgit of public money would require Najib’s full attention.

All details would have made its way onto his desk. And Altantuya's role was not nitty-gritty. She would have played an active role because she translated for Baginda, his friend who was looking out for him in the acquisition.

The French trial which is due to start soon against DCN. The seller of the 2 Scorpene and one Agosta submarines will be grilled and who they met and dealt with is bound to come out. Sooner or later, what the French probe fished out will  become public and those who have been lied to should rightfully be very angry and demand the sternest action.

Secondly, Razak Baginda has already confessed Altantuya had been his lover. Again, it seems impossible for Najib not to know who was keeping company with his best friend. Especially, with such a huge business transaction on the table, would Najib not keep tabs? Would not his own intelligence  alert him to Baginda’s movements? Would not the Malaysian Ministry of Defence or Special Branch have done a background check on Altantuya?

Therefore, chances are high Altantuya was known to Najib, casually or not is open to debate, but she was in all likelihood known to him.

Whether the mystery man or the third man or the missing link is indeed Najib is a different question. It is also besides the point because one way or another Najib would have been involved in it all.

The difference is that if it is proven by passport or airline records, then it is all the more embarrassing for Najib. He would be publicly found out in a lie that most Malaysians already suspect him of.

It will also open the door for his enemies - not from the Opposition - but from his own UMNO party to topple him.

Truth

The submarines negotiation was between the government of Malaysia and French arms dealer. Whoever that took part in the negotiation exercise would have to be cleared by the Ministery of Defence and Najib as its Minister.

Altantuya may not have been translator for the government and only for Baginda but she was part of the sprawling negotiations which also included the 114 million euros support services deal for Perimekar, which is the firm linked to Baginda.

It would have been pure negligence on Najib’s part if he did not know who were the various parties forming the integral structure of the 1 billion euros acquisition.

Following the controversy, there were calls for an independent inquiry into the cost of the submarines and Najib's role in it. He had been accused of receiving kickbacks as well as involvment in the Altantuya death.

If the inquiry had been allowed, 'sensitive' details  would have been exposed. So perhaps the oath-taking was an easy way out for Najib to downplay the accusations. Just like Sodomy II's Saiful and Datuk T's Eskay had tried to do by swearing on the Quran.

Through it all, the government of Malaysia has kept silent. In their silence, they were actually abetting a crime against the rakyat (populace).

But what goes around, comes around. If guilty, the paper trail will lead back to Najib regardless of how he wants to evade it. Not only will Najib be caught out in a lie but so too will the BN coalition, which was the government of the day.

No one, no matter how omnipotent, can live a lie forever. Like pus, the truth always has a way of coming out. No matter how one hides it.

- Malaysia Chronicle