PM's lawyers seek WSJ's stand in published articles

KUALA LUMPUR: The Prime Minister through his lawyers today sought confirmation as to whether it is the position of the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) as taken in the articles that Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak misappropriated nearly US$700 million (RM2.67 billion) from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
The lawyers referred to articles written by Simon Clark and Tom Wright in the WSJ concerning Najib entitled "Malaysia leaders accounts probed", published on July 2 and "Scandal in Malaysia" on July 6.
"We refer to the articles dated July 2 and July 6 in your WSJ which we state contains a plethora of convulated, scurrilous and vague allegations against our client," they said in their letter addressed to the board of directors, Dow Jones and Company, Inc.
The letter was sent through Najib's lawyers Hafarizam Wan and Aisha Mubarak.
"We are instructed to procure your position because the Articles collectively suggest that you are unsure of 'the original source of the money and what happened to the money' while on the other hand, the general gist of the Articles create a clear impression that our client has misappropriated about USD 700 million belonging to 1MDB."
The letter also stated: "In the circumstances and in the interests of our client, we would expect a Newspaper of your standing and reputation to state unequivocally and with clarity as to whether it is your contention that our client misappropriated about USD 700 million belonging to 1MDB."
"You will no doubt appreciate the seriousness of the allegations made against our client in the said Articles and his confirmation is sought to enable us to advise our client on the appropriate legal recourse he can take to seek redress in relation to the publication of these Articles.
"We demand a reply within fourteen (14) days of the date hereof and please let us know whether you have appointed solicitors in Malaysia to accept service of legal proceedings on your behalf and on behalf of the reporters who wrote the Articles in the event that legal proceedings become necessary," it read.