A minister is of the opinion that Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) ‘Four Corners’ programme is nothing but another attempt by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad to use western media as part of his campaign against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Pointing out how Mahathir had lost his attempt to topple Najib both in Umno and in Parliament, Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak said the 90-year-old had no option left but to exploit other channels like the western media.

“Which he vilified when in power, and joined forces with political opponents like Lim Kit Siang, whom he jailed when in power,” said Salleh in a statement today.

The journalists responsible for the documentary, said Salleh, had merely accepted the narrative, interviewing Mahathir and other members of the Save Malaysia movement.

“There is no attempt at balance, and no proof provided to justify the wild claims,” he said.

The documentary , titled 'State of Fear: Murder and Money in Malaysia', had linked Najib allegedly to the murders of Ambank founder Hussain Ahmad Najadi, deputy public prosecutor Kevin Morais and Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu.

Salleh nevertheless refuted these allegations, by first pointing out how Najadi had no involvement with Ambank since the 1980s, while the prime minister's accounts were opened in 2011.

Police, said Salleh, had confirmed that Najadi never lodged any reports related to the prime minister’s accounts while he was alive.

“The murder of Najadi was comprehensively investigated by the police and court process has taken place. There was no link whatsoever to the prime minister,” he said.

As for Morais, Salleh said the late DPP’s employer, the attorney-general had confirmed that he was never involved in any investigation relating to 1MDB or the prime minister.

Pointing out how Morais ( photo ) was transferred from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to the Attorney General’s Chambers in July 2014, it was therefore "physically impossible" for Morais to have written any 1MDB-related charge sheet.

“His murder has been comprehensively investigated by the police, following which individuals were charged and will be tried in court. One of those charged was investigated by Morais, but the case had no link to 1MDB or the prime minister.”

Comprehensive legal process took place

With regard to Altantuya, Salleh said Najib had made clear that he did not know, never met and never had any communication with her.

“Comprehensive legal process has taken place, including police investigations and court trials, including at Malaysia’s High Court, Court of Appeal and Federal Court.

“At no point during any of these legal stages was the prime minister implicated, even indirectly. The two guilty parties have been convicted and sentenced.”

And contrary to popular belief, the two were not the prime minister’s personal guards, said Salleh.

“This is an intentionally misleading allegation that has been used to create false conspiracy theories. They were members of a police unit that provides rotating security for government officials and visiting dignitaries.”

Stressing how the murders had undergone comprehensive police investigations and court process, the allegations, therefore, were an affront not just to the prime minister, but also to Malaysia’s police, judiciary and criminal justice system as a whole, added Salleh.

“Mahathir and the anti-Najib campaign have been trying to attack the prime minister on these issues for years.

“But there is absolutely no evidence of any wrongdoing, and there never will be – because these allegations are entirely false smears motivated by political gain,” said Salleh.