[UPDATED] You’re just using me as political fodder for GE15, Latiff tells Rafizi

KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Abdul Latiff Ahmad has hit back at Rafizi Ramli over allegations of impropriety in the multi-billion ringgit littoral combat ships (LCS) project, accusing the PKR deputy president of using him as political fodder ahead of the forthcoming 15th general election.

Latiff, presently a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for special functions, reiterated that “Zainab Mohd Salleh”, who is implicated in the deal based on the forensic report of the project, is not his spouse.

“I do not have any wife or former wife who is named Zainab Binti Mohd Salleh,” he said in a statement this evening.

“Whatever Zainab has done has no relation to me.”

The Mersing MP from Bersatu said he had served as deputy defence minister from 2009 to 2013.

He pointed out that the contract for the LCS awarded to Boustead Naval Shipyard was done on July 17, 2014.

“I did not have any role in the said LCS contract,” he added.

“My family did not get any defence contract or supply (contract) from the Defence Ministry while I was the deputy defence minister.”

Latiff expressed hope that Rafizi would be more honest in his politicking, saying that his “lies” have not only deceived the public but have also eroded the people’s confidence in the government. 

He further claimed that the country’s national security has been impacted due to secret information on national defence assets being exposed to the general public.

Latiff challenged Rafizi to provide evidence that Zainab was his second wife, and said that as a cabinet member, he is ready to be investigated to clear his name.

The minister was referring to allegations made by Rafizi which were based on the forensic audit report by Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation (BHIC), the parent company of BNS.

Latiff noted that amid all of Rafizi’s allegations, the PKR politician did not mention the report’s notice for readers which stated that it was “unable to access the veracity” of the representations made by people associated with the issues raised in the audit.

The forensic audit was conducted independently by Alliance IFA (M) Sdn Bhd.

Rafizi had previously revealed that the offshore-incorporated Alizes Marine Ltd, allegedly linked to Latiff, had been paid about RM210 million to supply spare parts for the LCS project between 2011 and 2015, as well as for other uncompleted works. 

Documents online showed that Zainab – who was noted to be Latiff’s wife in the forensic report – was the shareholder of the firm, which allegedly made fraudulent transfers from the LCS project to accounts overseas. 

Latiff had denied that the woman named is his spouse, although Rafizi later on Tuesday provided further evidence to prove their relationship.

In a blog post yesterday, Rafizi said prior to revealing Zainab’s true identity, Latiff’s denial that she was not his wife was clearly in reference to another individual who is the chief financial officer of Dialog Bhd, to confuse the public.

“With no denial or counter statement denying that the named individual is his wife, the people can conclude that my disclosure is true. 

“After all, this is stated in writing in the forensic report of the LCS project,” Rafizi said. – The Vibes, August 26, 2022