Altantuya case: Is the truth buried in the Najib-Shafee SMSes

Written by Hussein Abdul Hamid

The following text message correspondence is between YAB Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, and Dato’ Shafee Abdullah, a Malaysian lawyer who initially represented Abdul Razak Abdullah Baginda then on trial for abeting the murder of Mongolian national, Altantuya Shaariibuu.

While it does not answer lingering questions about Najib’s alleged past relations with Altantuya, the text messages show clearly Najib’s active intereference in the case very early on.

The messages highlight Najib’s willingness to speak with both members of the Attorney General’s Chambers and Inspector General of Police about the case, something that suggests an abuse of executive power.

What is particularly revealing and troubling is that the counsel, Shafee, keeps asking Najib for details indicating some political intervention that may have influenced the case.

This observation is strengthened by Najib’s message to Shafee on 16 November 2006: “Pls do not say anything to the press today. i will explain later. RB will have to face a tentative charge but all is not lost.”

This message raises a lot of questions about Najib’s role in this case. Why did he mention “tentative” charge and that “all is not lost” for RB (Razak Baginda)? How would Najib know this before Razak was charged? Is there already a deal in place that will see Razak aquitted? These are important questions which will have ramifications not just on this case but far beyond.

The text messages were transmitted between Najib’s personal mobile phone (+6012 2143177) and Shafee’s mobile phone (+6012 3257052).

Those who seek the truth should challenge Najib and Shafee to deny that this correspondence took place between them. Perhaps a record of the messages still resides in the server of the relevant telecommunications company.

The truth is buried somewhere. Those who know what truly happened hope that the truth has been buried deep with Altantuya. But the funny thing is, the truth always finds its way into the hands of those who fight for justice – sometimes in the most mysterious circumstances.

Here are the sms-es purportedly sent between the two: Najib and Shafee:

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Wednesday 8/11/2006
Shafee to Najib (S2N)
Date: 8/11/2006 02:59:31

Dato Seri, The Razak Baginda thing is troubling me.Can I help? Salam, Shafee

Najib to Shafee (N2S)
Date: 8/11/2006 03:45:05
I will speak with u later tonight.

S2N
Date: 8/11/2006 03:45:31
Thank you

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S2N
Date: 8/11/2006 06:28:56
Met the investigating officer today.Position is serious for RB.The 3 are highly implicated.RB’s case can be fought.There are redeeming features for him.But we need to meet Dato Seri as there are other looming issues at large.But not to worry. Salam > Shafee

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N2S
Date: 8/11/2006 21:06:11
I have spoken to IGP. U can represent n meet RB in court.

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Thursday 9/11/2006
N2S
Date: 9/11/2006 12:45:30
If RB’s remand is upto Sunday, does it mean that he has to be charged by Fri or be released? i hope it is looking better for him.

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S2N
Date: 9/11/2006 13:11:23
3 things can happen.Firstly, they can ask for more time for detention.We will resist.Second,they have to release him by Friday or thirdly charge him by Friday.Police took him to his office for document search.Nothing incriminating found.Now they are recording stmt from him.Later search in house.Under control so far Dato Seri. Salam, shafee

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S2N
Date: 9/11/2006 14:09:03
Dato Seri, Re RB need to meet up with you today. shafee

N2S
Date: 9/11/2006 14:17:47
630 pm at my house in PJaya this evening.

S2N
Date: 9/11/2006 14:18:21
Thank you

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Friday 10/11/2006
N2S
Date: 10/11/2006 15:14:31
Any news about RB ?

S2N
Date: 10/11/2006 15:19:40
Dato Seri, Negotiating for conditional release.If not police need 2 or 3 more days extention.I suspect its an exercise in public relation as they do not want public to think a VIP was given an easier time.Being a vip under these conditions is a liability.Otherwise we are on track according to plan. Salam, Shafee

N2S
Date: 10/11/2006 15:27:01
Thanks, he is very stressful according to his wife n would be a huge help if he could get a conditional release latest by sun.

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N2S
Date: 10/11/2006 21:35:52
Saw the news on tv. RB was sent for DNA. Not sure it was neccessary.

S2N
Date: 10/11/2006 21:40:19
Unnessasary.But I think its on his lung infection.He has just been sent again to HUKM.Will know more later from inside contacts.

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Saturday 11/11/2006
S2N
Date: 11/11/2006 03:17:56
Dato Seri, I was at ghkl ccu 4th floor.RB was admitted due to lung infection:mild pneumonia and asthmatic.This was the pain he was suffering in the chest and unexplained coughing for months.He is under an able physician Dato Dr Jeyaindran Sinnadurai(head of Dept of Medicine)Its good he is resting there than in the lockup.Dna was done to eliminate that he was at scene of crime(paternity can be ruled out as well).Need to see Dato Seri on some concerns. Salam. Shafee

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N2S
Date: 11/11/2006 08:54:17
ANy chance of a release by sun ?

S2N
Date: 11/11/2006 08:58:14
Police should release him by then except that I think the police is disturbeb by Media and public pressure.Other factors need be coomunicated to Dato Seri in person. Investigation wise we are on track for release.

S2N
Date: 11/11/2006 09:26:52
It is clear that the Police will ask for extention t’row.I will resist strongly in view of the fact that the last few days investigation on RB have completed investigations that require RB’s presence in custody.Secondly, from yesterday the Police has done nothing much with him except to do the dna.Thirdly, I am concerned with the Police carelessness yesterday in allowing the 3 other suspects to be freely mixing and therefore tainting their subsequent stmnts as they could be ‘group coached’.But it also show Police no longer need to isolate the suspects.Even RB was handcuffed to the C/I. Salam . Shafee

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N2S
Date: 11/11/2006 11:46:48
I Can see u today at my Taman duta hse at 6 pm.

S2N
Date: 11/11/2006 11:59:08
OK Dato Seri.Insyaallah I will be there.

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Sunday 12/11/2006
S2N
Date: 12/11/2006 13:53:41
2 days extention to Tuesday.They must release him by then maybe conditionally.Police asked for full 14days.He has message.

S2N
Date: 12/11/2006 14:06:23
Will give Dato Seri in a while

S2N
Date: 12/11/2006 15:10:17
0320949418

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Monday 13/11/2006
S2N
Date: 13/11/2006 15:53:36
Am in his office now.Another search. AG will be unwilling to charge and lose a case yet again.It is agood idea to suggest to AG to hood on and let investigtion proceed with Razak Released on Bond.

N2S
Tel: 60122143177
Date: 13/11/2006 16:23:29
How was the search ?

S2N
Date: 13/11/2006 16:25:56
We provided them everything,including old pda and note books and a couple of bills.Nothing incriminating.

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Wednesday 15/11/2006
S2N
Date: 15/11/2006 13:21:32
Things going as expected.2 male officer charged for murder in common intention.Razak’s name not in. Lady officer released but rearrested under Emergency Ordinance to be used as Crown witness(exactly as predicted). I am expecting RB to be released on Bond.4 of my lawyers are watching brief the proceedings in the murder case.Rb matter prob t’row. Pl call. Shafee Ps coming back now from Taipei.

N2S
Date: 15/11/2006 23:31:09
So hopefully he will be released tmrw?

S2N
Date: 15/11/2006 23:34:38
Dato Seri, I am driving up from S’pore ,no more flight to KL tonight.Hope for th best.Any indication? Shafee

N2S
Date: 15/11/2006 23:36:52
Not heard anything untoward yet.

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Thursday 16/11/2006
S2N
Date: 16/11/2006 10:52:43
Anything Dato Seri? I am already in Court.

N2S
Date: 16/11/2006 10:53:50
Pls do not say anything to the press today. i will explain later. RB will have to face a tentative charge but all is not lost.

S2N
Date: 16/11/2006 10:54:30
OK, TQ

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Friday 17/11/2006
S2N
Date: 17/11/2006 10:50:30
Dato Seri, Its important you speak toYusoff Zainal Abidin as he knows the law a lot better in the Chambers.I am confident he is concerned with the negligible evidence agst Razak.The Raja Mahani and Tengku Ariston cases ought to be the guiding critera for AG.They cannot afford another scandallous loss by the Prosecution as in Norita, Ariston,Dato Balwant etc.

N2S
Date: 17/11/2006 11:39:46
OK will try. Meanwhile try to console the wife. She is hysterical.

S2N
Date: 17/11/2006 11:41:29
I know Dato Seri.I will do everything I can.Salam, Shafee

S2N
Date: 17/11/2006 12:57:49
Dato Seri, Razak has not been sent to Hospital.He is clearly not well.He is refusing to take Prison’s medicine for fear of sabourtage.The chief Physician of GHKL Dato Dr Jaya Sinnadurai is shocked that they have not brought Razak back to GHKL.I have spoken to Haji Darussalam,Sg Buloh’s Prison Director.Can You sound this to Dato Radzi Shek Ahmad?Need to see you of s’thing that I think had happened that led to her death.Utterly shocking if I am right. Shafee

S2N
Date: 17/11/2006 15:45:34
Dato Seri, I am at Sg Buloh Prison.I have organised Razak to be in HUKL,He is on his way there now. The Pengarah Hj Darussallam and deputy Supt Gunasegaran very helpful. Shafee

N2S
Date: 17/11/2006 21:27:02
My regards to him. He Is always in my thought.

S2N
Date: 17/11/2006 21:34:44
Will tell him

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Sunday 19/11/2006
S2N
Date: 19/11/2006 16:25:08
Dato Seri, I need Dsp Musa ,your ADc to call me to clarify a point.He is not answering Shafee

Monday 20/11/2006
S2N
Date: 20/11/2006 13:02:33
Any developement Dato Seri? Shafee

N2S
Date: 20/11/2006 14:30:20
Not yet.

S2N
Date: 20/11/2006 14:30:38
Thank you

S2N
Date: 20/11/2006 21:05:17
Dato Seri.Razak is being transfered to Sg. Buloh t’row.Can Dr. Jaya do anything?

N2S
Date: 20/11/2006 23:04:50
When is he being transffered?

S2N
Date: 20/11/2006 23:05:48
T’row

N2S
Date: 20/11/2006 23:07:01
What time?

S2N
Date: 20/11/2006 23:08:01
Probably late morning

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Thursday 23/11/2006
N2S
Tel: 60122143177
Date: 23/11/2006 13:46:51
Your message read” Najib released on personal bond!”.

S2N
Date: 23/11/2006 13:50:00
Razak released on Bail of 1 million. On personal bond undertaking. Shafee?I am terribly sorry for that mistake.Whole night tak tidur preparing. My profuse apologies Sir. salam. shafee

N2S
Date: 23/11/2006 14:00:25
ALhamdullillah , at least he is on bail.Big relief for him n family.

S2N
Date: 23/11/2006 14:02:02
Dato, I need to brief you urgently b4 you speak to him.Shafee

N2S
Date: 23/11/2006 14:12:32
OK but not intending to speak to him as yet.

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Saturday 2/12/2006
S2N
Date: 2/12/2006 18:59:15
Dato Seri, Got some info that are troubling.Quite serious.Are you in Taman Duta?Can we meet? Salam, Shafee

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