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Thursday, August 24, 2006

Dr Mahathir wants AAB investigated for UN's Iraqi scandal

Unbelievable – Dr Mahathir has just exploded a 1000 megaton N-device!

In a press conference in Kedah he revealed to the press including Malaysiakini that he wants PM AAB investigated for involvement in the UN Oil-for-Food programme.

He stated that AAB’s relatives - Faek Ahmad Shareef, an Iraqi immigrant who was married to Abdullah’s sister-in-law but later divorced, and Noorasiah Mahmood, the sister of Abdullah’s late wife Endon Mahmood - were allegedly the biggest bribe-giver to the illicit UN oil-for-food deal involving deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. They operated through a Malaysian trading company called Mastek.

Malaysiakini reported:

Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad said an independent body should be formed to investigate his successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s alleged involvement in the United Nations Oil for Food Programme scandal.

In what appeared to be one of his harshest attacks against the current administration, Mahathir said government officials should not be involved in any commercial transactions.

Responding to a question on the scandal at a press conference in Kedah yesterday, the former premier said he only became aware of the matter after stepping down in 2003.

“When I was PM, I was not aware (of this) ... only after I stepped down was the report made. What is important is not whether he (Abdullah) is a beneficiary or not but as a deputy prime minister - or anyone who holds a (government) position - should not be involved in any commercial transactions."

“Looks like he was involved. How far he was involved, I don’t know ... but I think there should be an investigation by an independent body, not by those under him,” he said.

Mahathir added that Indian cabinet minister Natwar Singh had resigned when his name appeared on the report.

Of course there isn’t going to be any investigation. But Dr Mahathir is striking right at the heart of AAB’s credibility. If AAB doesn’t act swiftly to counter this very serious allegation - and really, can he? – he is finished!

1 comment:

  1. You miss the point that KJ and most UMNO leaders have about this. Aisehman.org has a good perspective on this. Crime of the past is NOT the same as current crime. Its why Dr. M is getting away without being really grilled on many corruption and misdeeds that is being revealed.

    Its why KJ is being hit so hard because he don't get it that you can't have your cake and eat it too.

    Yes this will hit AAB a bit but it won't go far. Dr. M needs more to swing things. He needs to show no less than uncertain proof of Pak Lah's people, particularly KJ misdeeds. In fact he get better milleage by attacking KJ for his 'misunderstood' incident with the Chinese.

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