The Suaram team that filed a 2011 judicial review in the French courts on the Scorpene submarines deal can assist MACC in its fresh probe into the case, according to the organisation's former executive director, Cynthia Gabriel.

Gabriel, who now heads the Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4), told Malaysiakini that the Suaram team was pleased to hear that the MACC had reopened the case, with former premier Najib Abdul Razak being called in for questioning on Monday.

"The whole time, the Malaysian government, of course under Najib, had closed the case, they didn't want to open (the probe).

"The MACC also didn't do anything at the time. We are pleased that the case has now been reopened, because we were very certain of the fact that a lot of corruption had taken place," said Gabriel, who was part of the team at the time.

Gabriel was commenting on MACC reopening its investigation into the 2002 purchase of two Scorpene submarines.

She added that the team together with Suaram executive director Sevam Doraisamy had been in contact with French prosecutors, who have indicted five people in the case thus far, including Abdul Razak Baginda, a former political analyst and close associate of Najib.

"We are offering our assistance and cooperation to the MACC because a lot of information (had been presented) in the French courts. We are very happy to share with them all the information that we have.

"Because they (French prosecutors) are investigating the case, they have already indicted four people and also Razak Baginda," she told Malaysiakini.

"But over here, the investigation was closed off for the longest time, so we are very glad it has been reopened.

"We are able to share information with prosecutors and bring down French lawyers if required." 

On Monday, it was reported that MACC has reopened the case, in which kickbacks were allegedly paid for the 2002 purchase of the two submarines from France.

Sources also told Malaysiakini that other individuals may be called in to facilitate the probe, including Razak Baginda.