KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s defense minister denied allegations on June 26 that a classified ministry report was sold to a French firm to land a controversial submarine deal.
Prime Minister Najib Razak has previously dismissed graft allegations linked to the $1.1-billion submarine purchase in 2002, when he was defense minister, saying it is an opposition-backed attempt to smear his image.
But in recent months, Malaysia’s online media have been aflutter with new “evidence” that opposition-leaning rights group Suaram and its lawyers say has been turned up by French judges probing the case.
The claims come at a sensitive time for Najib, who is preparing for elections, which he is expected to call soon.
They include an allegation that a classified Malaysian defense ministry report on the country’s naval needs was sold to submarine maker Thales, possibly to help the French firm land the $1.1 billion deal.
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