Najib questions legality of tapping sitting PM’s phone

Bede Hong Bede Hong Updated 6 years ago · Published on 8 Jan 2020 6:20PM · 7 Comments

Former prime minister Najib Razak says the timing of MACC’s release of clips of his conversations with top foreign leaders in 2016 is ‘really, really suspicious’. – EPA pic, January 8, 2020.

NAJIB Razak has questioned the legality of the tapping of his phone and release of recordings of his conversations with top foreign leaders in 2016 by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

He said the audio clips may set a precedent for the tapping of sitting prime ministers’ phones, which would compromise national security.

On who might have done it, the former prime minister told the press after his SRC International Sdn Bhd trial: “This is what we want to find out, whether it is legal or illegal. If it’s illegal, they have to answer for it.

“There is a party, and I cannot disclose who they are, but they have to follow the rules. Whether they followed the rules in this case, we have to find out.”

When it was suggested that it may not be illegal to tap a sitting prime minister’s phone, the 66-year-old said: “It isn’t wrong to tap the phone of a prime minister? Perhaps in the near future, all prime ministers would have their phones tapped? Are you encouraging it?”

He said the release of such recordings had “never happened in this nation’s history”, up till today.

“I was a sitting prime minister, and it is a matter of whether anyone has the authority to carry out the wiretapping (of the phone) of any sitting prime minister, and not just myself.

“This would have an effect on diplomatic relations and Malaysia’s interests with other nations.

“Why release the clips at this time? This was something that happened (four) years ago. What is the motive? Does this have anything to do with the Kimanis by-election?

“This is the question that needs to be answered… The timing of the release looks really, really suspicious.”

The recordings, made public by MACC this morning, revealed individuals talking about the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal, and how Najib and his stepson, Riza Aziz, were affected after the US Justice Department launched money-laundering investigations in 2016.

The conversations, which took place between January and July 2016, showed how the parties conspired to cover up the case.

MACC chief Latheefa Koya said the clips were sent in by a source after New Year.

She said Najib and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, may face fresh charges.

Najib and Rosmah currently face 42 and 20 charges, respectively, for abuse of power, money-laundering and corruption. – January 8, 2020.

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Comments

  • Is he admitting the audio clip is his voice!

    Posted 6 years ago by James Wong · Reply

  • Darling.. can i advise you something?

    Posted 6 years ago by Francis Anthony · Reply

  • It's not the timing of the release, but what you said that not only looks suspicious but is positively damning.

    Posted 6 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply

  • Najib said the audio clips may set a precedent for the tapping of sitting prime ministers phones, which would compromise national security.

    Havent Najib, Rosmah and their minions compromise national security through their massive money laundering of public funds with the help of foreigners and usurping the institutions such as the AG office and the MACC to cover their tracks?

    Posted 6 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply

  • Ah looks like he has admitted he was the cowering tail between legs voice being scolded by fat mama

    Posted 6 years ago by Kinetica Cho · Reply

  • MACC should have impunity in doing services for the good of nation and the rakyat. The phone tapping has to be legal.

    Posted 6 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Enemies in the house

    Posted 6 years ago by Concerned Citizen · Reply