Sarawak Report editor Clare Rewcastle-Brown said the New Straits Times’ front page story today is part of a hatchet job against her by the Umno-linked daily.

The newspaper today cited private correspondence between Rewcastle-Brown, several opposition members and the man who allegedly leaked documents on 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) Xavier Justo, as evidence of a conspiracy to topple Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Rewcastle-Brown said that while she did connect Justo to The Edge, she did not collect any payment for it.

She said she also “sounded out” various quarters on Justo’s offer but none took it up except for The Edge.

“When he offered me money to help him in his quest to find a buyer for his information I refused to accept it or indeed any payment whatsoever.

“I did not approve of Justo’s ( photo ) desire to be paid for this story, but I understood it and there is no crime, as the NST is seeking to allege, in paying someone for a news story,” she said.

Incentives for whistleblowers

While it may be morally suspect, she said, she understood that whistleblowers required incentives for the risks they were taking.

Justo, she noted, took considerable risk which has now landed him in a jail in Thailand over alleged extortion involving his former employer Saudi oil company PetroSaudi, relating its deal with 1MDB.

“However, what the New Straits Times will certainly know if they have read my Whatsapp messages to Justo, is that none of the various politicians they are trying to propagandise as being in some kind of undetermined conspiracy with me, was willing to do so.

“I did sound out quite a good number of people to see who might be interested in dealing with Justo. But no one wanted to engage with him.

“No plot there then, despite the allegations!” she said.

She added that it is true that she would toast Najib’s departure as NST reported, but this should not come as a surprise.

“I am happy to confirm that I will celebrate if Najib at last proves himself a gentleman and admits he no longer has the authority and credibility needed to govern his disillusioned party and country.

“This is because I am a journalist who has exposed many crimes under his watch, not because I am being paid as part of some ill-defined conspiracy to criticise an innocent man!” she said.

Related reports

AG: Missing DPP not involved in 1MDB probe

Identify yourselves, Dyana dares Sept 16 rally organisers

Police need a week to probe burnt car

Police won’t allow Sept 16 rally to take place

Amanah agreeing to agree on hudud welcome, says DAP

The Edge submits for suspension order to be quashed

Guan Eng rejects PAS for new opposition coalition

Guan Eng challenges PAS to take him on in Air Putih

Let the red shirts rally, PKR veep urges police

Bersih: Stop distracting our fight for democratic reforms

Pandikar stays mum on PM no confidence motion

Ringgit falls to 4.3030 on US jobs data, oil price drop

Muhyiddin, Shafie to attend Umno political bureau meeting

Aide: Rosmah just housewife, why attend 'SB meet'?

Since when is picture stomping an offence?

Severe haze around peninsula causing low visibility

IGP: Stop rumours on Kevin's disappearance

Another boost for Parti Amanah Negara

Two more questions on RM2.6b Najib has to answer

When God is involved in battle against graft

Najib, the people are supreme, not you

Ex-IGP's son: Independent panel needed to appoint IGP

Najib, not too late to right wrongs