Video On Plot To Discredit PM Najib Given To Police

PUTRAJAYA, July 16 (Bernama) -- A video allegedly exposing a plot to discredit Prime Minister Najib Razak was handed over to the police Wednesday, according to Barisan Nasional (a major political party in Malaysia) strategic director Abdul Rahman Dahlan. He said the video, a confession by a former editor of the Sarawak Report news portal, allegedly portrayed several opposition leaders and the Sarawak Report portal administrator. The video, handed over by a local resident to the Petaling Jaya police headquarters, allegedly showed the ill intention of several parties with vested interests to carry out a 'Mission to Criminalise Najib Razak and 1MDB', he said. Abdul Rahman said he was informed of the content of the report after the complainant lodged the police report Wednesday morning. He said the police report alleged that Claire Rewcastle Brown, the administrator of Sarawak Report, had falsified facts relating to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), Najib and issues closely linked to 1MDB. "I understand the complainant also handed over a video on the confession of the former editor who was directly involved in the falsifying of facts and their publication and dissemination on the Sarawak Report portal. "I watched the video myself and was shocked at the expose, where among others the individual who confessed also mentioned the names of several opposition leaders who had allegedly colluded with Claire Brown," he told a media conference Wednesday. Abdul Rahman, who is the Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government Minister, said he was informed that the complainant also handed over a copy of an e-mail to police believed to have been written by Claire Brown. In the email, dated March 1, 2015, Claire Brown is alleged to have written, among other things: "Thanks! Yes it was quite a job! ... sitting up night after night cleverly 'forging' all those documents!!!". Abdul Rahman said that though what Claire meant could not be verified, it was hoped that Interpol and the United Kingdom and Malaysian police would investigate what was meant by Claire Brown as many were doubtful about Claire Brown and the Sarawak Report having falsified facts. He said he was informed that the British individuals named in the confession video would only give their statements in an official investigation by the United Kingdom authorities. Abdul Rahman said he had asked the police to conduct a professional investigation soon as the allegations in the video were serious and substantive. "To enable individuals named in the video to be investigated, I urge the police to immediately contact their counterparts at Interpol and in the United Kingdom as we fear that other evidence with them may be removed or destroyed," he said. -- BERNAMA