Najib seeks to buy time with WSJ letter
YOURSAY ‘All it would have taken was a denial that the accounts were his.’
Najib wants WSJ to confirm claims in 14 days
Tholu: This must be a first in the history of law practice for someone intending to initiate a defamation suit against his defendant to first seek confirmation from the defendant as to whether the defendant did indeed defame the plaintiff. This is absolutely ludicrous.
What if The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) says it did not defame PM Najib Razak by its reports but keeps on reporting on the alleged wrongdoings of the PM that is perceived by the common people as criminal embezzlement of the people’s money?
Is Najib still going to seek confirmation from WSJ as to whether its reports on 1MDB and him are meant to defame him? And what makes Najib’s legal team believe that WSJ will respond to its request for clarification?
This whole threat of legal action against WSJ is nothing but an eyewash to wriggle out of this embarrassing situation of being accused of CBT (criminal breach of trust) and corruption, and an attempt to divert attention away from the core issue, which is the undisputed accusation by WSJ that some of the 1MDB funds have been channelled into Najib's private bank accounts.
Aries46: Correct me if I am wrong, but all that I gathered from the WSJ report is that the US daily has reliable documented evidence based on the findings of the 'special task force' that approximately US$700 million (RM2.6 billion) from 1MDB-related companies had gone through various channels and ended up in the personal bank accounts of Najib in AmBank.
And that this information (document) was apparently sighted by Najib and the attorney-general (AG). The WSJ has since stood by its report.
Did WSJ at any time claim that Najib stole the money or misappropriated 1MDB funds? His lawyers' claim that "it amounts to..." and "creates a clear impression..." is presumption that is subject to a defamation suit.
Unless it can prove that US$700 million was not siphoned out of the 1MDB companies and credited in Najib's personal accounts in AmBank, these so-called legal manoeuvres to merely salvage Najib would be futile.
Moreover, till today, Najib has not categorically denied the report, other than blaming former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad for his woes.
Tan Kim Keong: WSJ already said it stands by its report. These lawyers are focusing on 'misappropriation'. The key issue is whether funds were transferred to Najib's accounts at Ambank, regardless.
So stop beating around the bush. It's a simple case and these lawyers are trying to divert the issue.
SusahKes: All it would have taken was a denial that the accounts belonged to him. As to what use the funds were for, that will be besides the point.
The fact remains that, when enormous foreign funds are deposited into the personal account of a national leader, it by itself would warrant requisite investigations.
Here, none of that was done at the point of the transaction. Bank Negara did not look into this, neither did the Inland Revenue Board. Indeed, none of the government agencies did.
FellowMalaysian: From the text of lawyer Hafarizam Wan's legal letter to WSJ, it does not appear to me that this signifies the commencement of legal action against WSJ by Najib.
The letter is merely seeking WSJ's position on its claims and allegations of July 2 and July 6. This action would at best be called a precursor to the letter of demand and thus it has not initiated legal proceedings.
I believe Najib has no or little intention to bring forth a protracted legal battle, as the case looks likely to be one which he will end up bruised and battered.
I also believe that Najib is in desperate need to buy precious time to consolidate his position in Umno and in the cabinet. He also needs to appease Bank Negara and other civil regulators and enforcement bodies for the damage done by WSJ and hopefully, align their stand with his.
It’s a 'do or die' situation now for Najib and the next one or two weeks will determine his fate.
Laksaksa: This email is deemed as "commencing legal action"? The entire nation is blushing. Stop it already.
Pro Bono: It is plain law that in a libel or defamation case where words or meanings are unclear or uncertain, the plaintiff (Najib) can set out the defamatory meaning and leave it to the WSJ to contest it otherwise, and the courts to determine the real meaning, or innuendo.
This letter from his lawyers to WSJ is a delaying tactic and just to satisfy the uneducated in law.
Anonymous_1421806811: If I were WSJ, I won't bother to reply. Which part of WSJ's article needs clarification?
Maybe WSJ should learn from our home minister and just reply, "Siapa makan chili, dia rasa pedas". This would be good, wouldn't it?
I doubt if our PM will have the guts to sue WSJ. As with the case of Sarawak Report , he would have done it a long time ago, if he was innocent.
Hang Babeuf: Translation - Please tell me again, for the record, 14 days from now what you said and published last week.
Meaning of this move - An attempt to stall. Najib can neither sue nor stay silent, he can only try to "tough it out", "muddy the waters", and stall, stall, stall.
In other words - No matter what the facts may be, no matter how embarrassing and incriminating they may prove (so he is saying), you will have to "blast me out".
First a non-denial, now a non-lawsuit
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