Salleh slams Wall Street Journal

KUALA LUMPUR: Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak said the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) acted recklessly in saying that the RM2.6 billion in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak's private bank accounts was not a donation from the Saudi royal family.
"The information given by WSJ to ABC (News Australia), it is a reckless accusation to say that the RM2.6 billion is not from the royal family," he said.
Salleh said it has been proven that Najib, as the country's premier, had submitted himself to the investigation processes by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission ( MACC) and Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC), and was found to be free from any wrong-doing.
"It must be remembered that Najib is clean from any allegations thrown at him by certain quarters," he said, adding that the allegations made by those overseas are based on tampered documents and unverified sources.
He also questioned the meddling attitude of foreigners in the country's affairs.
"We as citizens of the country should believe in our own independent institutions, like the MACC and the AGC.
"We should not insult the prime minister who is the head of government, or we may end up hurting ourselves," he said in his speech during the launch of the book "If A Cat Had Nine Lives ...The Legacy of Najib Razak: A Political Satire" by writer Datuk Ismail Noor.
When asked if Najib has plans to file a suit against WSJ, Salleh said: "It is up to him if he plans to take any legal action."
WSJ finance editor Ken Brown was reported to have said that the donation in Najib's account was from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
"Our reporting has shown for months now that the money did not come from the Saudis, but it came via a bunch of companies and bank accounts related to 1MDB.
"And you know, our story hasn't been called into question yet, and we have loads of evidence to back that up," he told ABC in an interview on Feb 12.
In January, AG Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali was reported to have cleared Najib from any wrong-doing, stating that the donation came from a member of the Saudi royal family.
At the book launch, Ismail, who wrote the book under the moniker Ron Liamsi, said it was a satirical take on Najib's 40 years in politics and the challenges he faced.
"Like the saying that cats have nine lives, the book looks at the challenges faced by Najib while in power," he said.
The book, published by Thinker's library, is on sale at RM50 per copy, with the Bahasa Malaysia version expected to be published by the end of the month.