YOURSAY | ‘The Saudis, as we know from recent events in Turkey, aren’t averse to lying…’

Saudi minister who confirmed Najib's 'donation' to meet Mahathir, Saifuddin

Ferdtan: With the kind of imposing status of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad known to the world, all he has to do is to glare penetratingly at the young Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Adel Ahmed al-Jubeir and then ask him that pertinent question - did the Saudi donate RM2.6 billion to former premier Najib Abdul Razak as he had said before?

Get the video camera ready and see how he will react to get out of this lie.

I hope he will do the right thing; just admit that the statement he issued when Najib was PM is not true. As politicians do to save face, he can just say that he was misquoted.

Oxymoronictendencies: Well, well. The plot thickens. Let’s see what Adel’s story is when he meets Mahathir. And how that story meshes with the US Department of Justice (DOJ) investigations, the results of which vary widely from Adel’s previous inferences.

The Saudis, as we know from recent events in Turkey, aren’t averse to lying if they think they can get away with it.

It should be an interesting meeting. One which we can await the result of with bated breath.

Zzz: He is coming as the Saudi Arabia foreign minister to shore his country's reputation after the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey. Najib is the last thing on his mind.

And for goodness’ sake, forget about the Arab donation story. It is a fairy tale.

The Red Baron: The protectors of the Holy Land allegedly lied for Najib and now they are blatantly lying and changing the narrative on the savage murder of an innocent man in their embassy.

Whatever it is, never go into their embassy.

Norman Fernandez: Whatever the case, even if invited to attend a dinner at the Saudi Arabia embassy, Mahathir must decline. It’s not worth taking the risk.

Hmm: If a person can lie about a murder, lying about money should be a walk in the park for him.

NNFC: Can his words be trusted? Look at the Khashoggi murder. Up to now, no trace of the body.

Anonymous 1689721435778173: If Saudi Arabia wants to mend ties with Malaysia, they better be truthful.

After the debacle of their handling of the Khashoggi murder, the credibility of the country in the international arena has plunged to an all-time low.

I think the Saudis may have sent some money into Najib's bank account, but not the US$641 million.

JBond: Under pressure from the high-profile murder, the Saudis need all the supporters they can get to stand on their side.

Mahathir, please don’t sell out Bolehland to the murderers, like what Najib did on Altantuya Shaariibuu.

Kee Thuan Chye: Let's be clear on this. I followed the case closely. Adel Ahmed did not say all that to former foreign minister Anifah Aman.

He said it to a Malaysian journalist on the sidelines of an OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) conference.

It contradicted what he had told New York Times a few months earlier when he said there was no political donation and certainly not from the Saudi government.

This is what NYT reported: "In Saudi Arabia, Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said that he accepted the attorney general’s opinion that there had been no wrongdoing, but he also said that he did not think that the money had come from the Saudi government or that it was a political donation.

“It is a private Saudi citizen, I believe, and the funds went to an investment in Malaysia,” Adel was quoted as saying.

I wrote about this here.

Clever Voter: Expect the Saudi visitor to confirm foreign donation did take place. But the amount would not be in the billions.

Like all diplomats, they will not offend, and they will make strong claims that money was to be used for education and cultural purposes.

The Arabs are put on the spot, and if they have any dignity then they will want to defend their pride and reputation. They will want to save their own skins, not Najib’s.

Game: Adel Ahmed should not be wasting his time to meet Mahathir. What is he thinking? He can fool Dr M and Dr M will buy his lies?

If he is genuine, just show the money trail from the so-called Saudi prince. Stop the lies as it will be just wasting our time.

Swimming Prawn: Yes, follow the money and evidence that is admissible in court. There is no point chasing after hearsay and getting dragged down together into the mudhole.

The Fog of Life: It’s time for Adel Ahmed to tell us exactly what he knows. The monies may well have come from a private Saudi citizen but the issue is, what is the source of the monies?

I doubt Adel Ahmed knows, in which case he should say so.

The banking documentary evidence is compelling and Adel Ahmed knows very well that the truth lies where the evidence leads you and not with a simple cover-up or denial.

MsiaBaru: Come, donate to Tabung Harapan’s 'Save Malaysia' instead.

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