by Maria J. Dass [email protected] K UALA LUMPUR: Three weeks after his acquittal of abetment to murder of his former Mongolian lover, political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda yesterday broke his silence, accusing bloggers of turning lies and assumptions into truth to the extent that the truth becomes irrelevant. “I was shocked at the extent my case had been wildly exaggerated and that throughout my two years of imprisonment, lies and baseless assumptions had become the basis for truth, so much so the truth had become irrelevant and was lost in translation, ” he told a packed press conference at Hotel Maya. “While some have told me to say nothing, I feel (that) if I do not be brave and try to turn the tide in order to tell the truth, I will be merely turning a blind eye and allow the liars to prevail.” He said after his release on Oct 31, he gave a statement to the police regarding private investigato r P. Balasubra- maniam’s first statutory declaration which implicated Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri The nation’s FREE newspaper TELLI NG IT AS IT IS MEMBER AUDIT BUREAU OF CIRCULATIONS (MALAYSIA) 30 sen for delivery to your doorstep Award winning newspaper for public service reporting and opinion writing. the big picture No. 4644 PP 2644/12/2008 (020369) Friday November 21, 2008 www.sun2surf.com 275,000 COPIES DAILY » Penang’ s three options on high rises pg2 » Twilight phenomenon pg22-23 S Y E D A Z A H A R S Y E D O S M A N / T H E S U N Truth, lies & blogs Najib Abdul Razak. The investigator, whom he had hired to keep an eye on Altantuya Shaariibuu and who has gone into hiding, withdrew his allegations in a second statutory declaration the next day. Said Abdul Razak, 48: “I told them what I told you all today, that Najib did not know or had met the deceased (Altantuya). “I implore all of you and the public to stop spreading lies about Datuk Seri Najib and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor as I know they have never met Altantuya.” Saying that he had not been in contact with Najib since his release, Abdul Razak described his relationship with the DPM as an official one and that he (Najib) was a friend. Asked about what he thought of Najib becoming prime minister, he said: “He (Najib) is a well-read person and well in tune with what is going on in the world, and in terms of intellect and experience, he will make a good prime minister.” Asked if he would continue to render his services as a political analyst to Najib when the latter becomes premier, Abdul Razak, who is executive director of the Malaysian Strategic Research Centre, said: “I’m quite happy with my freedom at the moment and don’t want to be tied up with any appointment whatsoever ... not that it’s coming.” Sporting a moustache and beard, he was accompanied by two lawyers, his father and several family members. However, his wife and daughter were absent. Abdul Razak also touched on: » Blogs “People should start questioning the validity of the information they receive, especially from blogs. We are supposed to be a knowledge-based society and a thinking people but now one or two bloggers form an opinion, and that becomes public opinion. “Bloggers could even be used as tools by enemies of the state to erode confidence. Then we are talking about something more sinister. “Most bloggers write based on hearsay and not based on what they themselves have seen or heard. This is just a phase that developed countries had gone through once and after some time the opinion of bloggers will have little effect. “I expect my statement to be twisted as well. But this is the truth and if anyone wants to twist and turn, then all I can say is that I have said my piece and to me this is the truth.” Quoting Shakespeare, he said: “A lie is halfway round the world before the truth has got its boots on.” » Link between the murder and the Scorpene and Agosta submarine deal “There are no linkages to this whatsoever. I’m appalled by the extent of lies, but the time frame between the striking of the deal Abdul Razak meets the press ... ‘I implore the public ... stop spreading lies about Najib and wife’ » Turn to Page 2 Shahrizat going for Wanita top post by Karen Arukesamy [email protected] PETALING JAYA: Wanita Umno deputy chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil (pix) will contest the No. 1 post, breaking an earlier pact with her “boss” Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz for a June handover. The 55-year-old lawyer announced her much-anticipated decision in a two- paragraph statement yesterday, indicating that she had decided to ride on the 73 nominations for her to take over the post. Rafidah received 117 nominations. “Wanita Umno must be united to strengthen the party and be courageous to bring changes and reformation,” she said. When contacted, her aide said Shahri- zat will be away for the next few days for a meeting and was not available to give further comments. With her decision, Shahrizat – who was earlier criticised for being a penakut (coward) – is set for a bruising battle with Rafidah at the March party polls, one that would be a repeat of the 1996 elections when Datuk Dr Siti Zaharah Sulaiman beat the seemingly- invincible “Iron Lady”, and was chief for only one term. Rafidah, 65, became Wanita chief in 1984. Her transition plan has increasingly been criticised by sections of the grassroots who felt that it was unnecessary for her to be uncontested, only to hold the post for three months before handing it to Shahrizat, who will thereafter be acting chief. On Nov 10, the wing’s executive council met, a day after Shahrizat issued a state- ment calling for the leadership transition to be brought forward to March, in keeping with the grassroots’ wishes. Rafidah later said the exco decided the original plan remained.