FORMER prime minister Najib Razak today denied knowing about a letter sent by the Prime Minister’s Department to the United States’ Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) ahead of the May 9 polls.

Najib told Malaysiakini he was “surprised” and “did not know of its existence” because not all letters had to go through him.

He said he gave no instruction for such a letter to be sent.

“While I have not had a chance to see the letter, what was reported by the media suggests that this letter was to seek the US’ continued support of the Malaysia government post-election should Barisan Nasional win, for reasons of the country’s stability.

“What was reported about the letter does not seem to seek US backing to help win the elections, but to preserve stability after the elections,” he was quoted as saying.

The May 4 letter, signed by the department’s research division’s director-general Hasanah Ab Hamid and addressed to CIA director Gina Haspel, has since been uploaded online in a blog.

It highlighted Najib as a strong US ally, compared to opposition leader Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

It also stated that Dr Mahathir was “essentially not a reformer that could enhance Malaysia’s national interest as he joined the opposition for his own self-interest”.

“...The opposition hopes to use his prowess in politics to defeat prime minister Najib’s party,” it read.

The letter discredited the then-opposition that “spread negative narratives” of Malaysia’s political and socio-economic policies through online portals like Malaysiakini and Sarawak Report.

It praised the Najib’s administration’s sound foreign policies and contributions to regional security, adding that it welcomed US presence in the South China Sea to balance China’s maritime assertiveness.

It said that Malaysia was a moderate and progressive Muslim nation under Najib, who was expected to win the general election adequately to form the next government.

Towards the end, the letter expressed Najib’s need for US support of the Barisan Nasional government if it won the election by a simple majority of just one seat.

“Any indication that the US government would continue to support Najib and his government would definitely strengthen our stability and enhance the existing cordial relationship driven by strong rapport between our two leaders,” the letter said. – July 19, 2018.