Malaysia's Najib sought CIA support before election defeat

Despite being investigated by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) for his role in the scam, Najib controversially visited the White House last September in an attempt to boost US President Donald Trump. Investigators believe as much as US $ 4.5 trillion was pilfered from the fund between 2009 and 2014. Najib maintains his innocence and has staunchly denied any wrongdoing.

The letter to the CIA director says that the 93-year-old Mahathir had " "In the past, Mahathir has been" anti-West, anti-Semite, autocratic, silenced dissent through force, utterly Disclaimer of Disclosure and Disclosure of Disclosure by the United States of America

"Unlike Mahathir, Najib is known to be a strong US ally and would continue to support [a] US presence in the region," according to letter, which heaped praise on the "sound and progressive foreign policies" developed during Najib's nine-year tenure, which the letter said sought to promote peace and stability in the region.

"Without Najib in charge of the country," th e letter said, "the US stands to lose a reliable partner in Southeast Asia, given that the Philippines has broken away from Washington, Singapore and Brunei being too small to make an impact and Thailand as well as Indonesia immersed in their own domestic problems. "

" Meanwhile, the Indo-China countries, except for Vietnam, are too inclined towards China, "the letter said.

Following accusations of corruption stemming from 1MDB, Najib deepened economic and security ties with Beijing. Critics widely accuse him of entangling Malaysia in costly infrastructure projects that could undermine national sovereignty.

Najib's government, according to the letter, welcomed America's presence in the region, especially the South China Sea, to hedge against China's maritime assertiveness. Malaysia, a claimant to territorial disputes in the contested maritime area, had largely lost its claim to confrontation with Beijing during Najib's tenure.

Malaysian first Mahathir Mohamad speaks during an interview before his election win at Putrajaya, March 30, 2017. Photo: Reuters / Lai Seng Sin

In 2016, Malaysia took part in the largest ever naval drills between China and a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) regional grouping. A state visit to Beijing saw Najib's government clinch US $ 34 billion worth of deals, including Malaysia's first significant defense deal with China, an agreement to buy four naval vessels.

Since the publication of the three-page letter by Malaysiakini, Najib it has not been written in the past. (19659002) Malaysiakini has claimed that it is in favor of Malaysiakini. the letter. Najib, who some now accuses of treason, claims to be written "with the best of intention" in order to "preserve the stability of the government" in the event of a narrow win. "

It is unclear whether the letter is ever sent to the CIA or if the American intelligence agency ever issued a response. The US State Department issued a statement following the May 9 election congratulating "the people of Malaysia" for their participation and calling for the implementation of the federal constitution.

Malaysiakini launched in 1999 as country's first independent news portal and is today considered as one of Asia's most influential news sites. Despite attempts to levy criminal charges against the portal of its critical coverage of 1MDB, formerly Najib has been arrested for an extensive interview with the portal after its defeat.

and criminal breach of trust for dealings at SRC International, to form 1MDB unit. He has already been released on a bailout but still faces a maximum 20-year prison sentence if convicted when his case goes to trial in February. Mahathir took office.

Then Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, November 10, 2014. Photo: Reuters / Kim Kyung-Hoon

Veteran opposition parliamentarian Lim Kit Siang has asked for the first form to be informed that Mahathir as being "anti-West" should have never been felt by "any self-respecting government or official." Mahathir was often postured in opposition to the West during his earlier 22-year tenure.

Though he initially reached out to the George Bush administration following the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, he soon became a vocal critic of the US-led invasion of Iraq in 1965 and considered the "war on terrorism" as a pretext for reasserting Western geopolitical dominance.

He was accused of anti-Semitism in 2003 when he claimed "Jews rule the world by proxy," referring to Israel's alleged influence over US political system, an international furor.

While Mahathir's return may be regarded as having some skepticism in the West, the fact that he now leads a reform-oriented government Add Comment Info Please login or register your entry via Master Call Date

New Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks during a news conference in Kuala Lumpur, May 11, 2018. Photo: Reuters / Athit Perawongmetha

Since returning to power, Mahathir has attempted to portray Malaysia as a neutral actor star looming fears of a US -China trade war. Striking a different tone of the predecessor, the first nonagenarian has the presence of warships the largest threat to peace in the South China Sea's disputed waters.

Mahathir boat patrols, a position to be with the US or China.

Kuala Lumpur last month he defended his government's approach to curbing national debts that ballooned during Najib's term. Mahathir also reassured the audience that his government would remain business-friendly and welcoming to

Malaysian media reported last month that the US would explore the possibility of trump visiting Malaysia in November. Mahathir protested Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital city last year and previously struck down to the American president, describing him as "a person who changes his mind overnight."

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