SHAH ALAM – Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy president Rafizi Ramli challenges Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Task) Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff to file an immediate summon against him if all the claims made against him and his ‘wife’ in the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) project are untrue.
He also urged Latiff to take similar action against Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation Berhad (BHIC) which issued a forensic report regarding LCS and Alliance IFA (M) Sdn Bhd that acted as the auditor if all the disclosures were found to be untrue.
This followed the latest response given by the cabinet minister that none of his wives were named Zainab Mohd Salleh who were linked to the scandal was deemed as a mere denial posted on Facebook.
"When Latiff merely denied on Facebook, that meant he accused the auditor that was appointed by Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation (BHIC) which was Alliance IFA (M) Sdn Bhd that they lied when the auditor’s report named Zainab Mohd Salleh as his wife and showed his involvement in the LCS project contracts.
"Latiff’s Facebook denial is similar to accusing the records of the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) to be lying even though the records showed that he had a relationship with Zainab Mohd Salleh through joint ownership of Mega P Asia Sdn Bhd.
"A mere denial (without showing any facts or documents) are common tactics practised by Umno leaders and former Umno members (that are now in Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia).
"During the early disclosure of the SRC and 1MDB scandals, Datuk Seri Najib Razak outrightly denied that funds were transferred into his personal account.
"When it was proven, he then said the funds were donations from an Arab tycoon.
"Upon investigation, it was found that the funds were from the people’s retirement fund,” he said in a statement on Friday.
He added that the people no longer believe empty denials from any ministers from Umno or Bersatu based on existing records from before.
"If this (summon) is not taken immediately, then I am sure Latiff will drag his party down in the 15th General Election (GE15) because the people will punish any parties that protect characters involved in the LCS scandal,” he said.
Earlier today, Latiff once again affirmed that none of his wives were named Zainab Mohd Salleh who was linked to the LCS project scandal.
He also pointed out that none of his family members was involved in the business of supplying or constructing the LCS ship.