Is this another hatchet job on Najib?

KUALA LUMPUR, March 5, 2009 | Leslie Lau is Consultant Editor to The Malaysian Insider

— Sure, there are still many questions surrounding the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu.

But they were not answered by a story which appeared in the centre-left French newspaper Liberation today.The article repeats a series of allegations that have been circulating for some time on the Internet.

These allegations have remained just that — allegations.

No evidence has been provided to show Datuk Seri Najib Razak was in any way linked to the murder.

The Liberation mentions the existence of a photograph which purportedly shows Najib, Altantuya and her lover Abdul Razak Baginda in a Paris nightclub.

But the newspaper does not publish the said photograph.

The newspaper also makes a series of allegations about Abdul Razak’s alleged involvement as an intermediary in arms deals for Najib.Huge commissions are mentioned. However, no documents are cited to substantiate the story.

“Najib has already responded to these allegations. He has sworn on the Quran that he has never met her. What else can he do?” an aide to the deputy prime minister told The Malaysian Insider.

The aide said the article seemed to be part of a concerted effort to smear Najib as he prepares to take office as Malaysia’s sixth prime minister.

It is hard not to agree with the aide.

While there are many Malaysians who would love to believe these allegations against Najib are true, the fact remains that no concrete evidence has been produced.

If there is indeed evidence of any wrongdoing, then sure, the deputy prime minister deserves to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Still, the public do deserve some answers. There are reasons why Malaysians find it easy to believe such allegations against Najib.Abdul Razak, who was acquitted of abetment in the murder, was indeed a close associate of Najib.

The two men facing a death sentence if they are found guilty of murdering the Mongolian apparently took instructions from DSP Musa Safri, Najib’s former aide-de-camp.

But a hatchet job on Najib now without any clear evidence brings nothing fresh to the table for Malaysians.