Malaysia

Retract ‘incorrect’ statements in LCS report, Latiff’s lawyers tell forensic auditors

Mersing MP’s legal team gives 48 hours to withdraw report on Zainab Mohd Salleh

Updated 1 year ago · Published on 07 Sep 2022 10:19PM

Retract ‘incorrect’ statements in LCS report, Latiff’s lawyers tell forensic auditors
Datuk Abdul Latiff Ahmad, a former Umno lawmaker and deputy defence minister from 2008 to 2013 when the littoral combat ship project was in its initial phases, had subsequently denied the accusations tied to his alleged spouse Zainab Mohd Salleh, saying he is open to being investigated over the issue. – Bernama pic, September 7, 2022

by Qistina Nadia Dzulqarnain

KUALA LUMPUR – Mersing MP Datuk Abdul Latiff Ahmad is purportedly taking legal action against the independent forensic auditors who prepared the forensic audit report on the contentious littoral combat ships (LCS) project.  

A letter of demand sighted by The Vibes saw lawyer Chetan Jethwani from Chetan Jethwani & Co, claiming to act on behalf of Latiff, who is also special functions minister. 

The letter, addressed to Alliance IFA (M) Sdn Bhd director Prabhat Kumar, threatened to commence legal proceedings against the recipient if he “fails, refuses or neglects” to respond within 48 hours from today (September 7).

The letter referred to various postings by PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli, who made allegations against Latiff based on the forensic audit report prepared by the company.

Among others, the forensic report named Zainab Mohd Salleh as the wife of Latiff, and who had stakes in the multi-billion ringgit project.

“You would be aware that your statement is wholly untrue and highly defamatory to our client (Latiff), dragging our client into public scandal and odium,” the letter sighted by The Vibes said. 

“Your statement has also caused many issues within our client’s family and constituency.”

The audit report was prepared for Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation Sdn Bhd (BHIC), which is a sister company of the main LCS contractor Boustead Naval Shipyard Bhd (BNS).

Both BHIC and BNS are subsidiaries of Boustead Group Bhd. 

The legal letter demanded several matters from Prabhat, including for him to withdraw his “incorrect” statements on Latiff, and to issue an apology to the minister over the allegedly defamatory revelations made in the forensic report.  

It also demanded Prabhat write into BHIC to correct the alleged inaccuracies contained in the report. 

“BHIC should not have provided the Public Accounts Committee with an incorrect report,” Chetan said, adding that a copy of the correction letter should then be provided to the law firm.  

The Vibes has also reached out to Rafizi for comment on the letter issued by the lawyer.

Previously, Rafizi had made several revelations about Latiff and his alleged spouse Zainab, who is named as a shareholder of Malta-based offshore incorporated company Alizes Marine Ltd, the firm implicated in the siphoning of funds from the LCS project to foreign accounts.

Latiff, a former Umno lawmaker and deputy defence minister from 2008 to 2013 when the LCS project was in its initial phases, had subsequently denied the accusations, saying he is open to being investigated over the issue. 

Latiff has also been the subject of numerous police reports about the controversy, including those made by PKR Youth vice chief Atyrah Hanim Razali, with the support of several other party figures, namely PKR strategy director and Johor Baru MP Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir. – The Vibes, September 7, 2022 

Related News

Malaysia / 6mth

PAC to table report on LCS next month

Malaysia / 7mth

LCS project set to resume next month, first ship expected at end-2026: navy

Malaysia / 9mth

LCS: PAC to visit Lumut naval base, commence proceedings on Saturday

Malaysia / 9mth

Transparency International again demands govt explain LCS issues

Malaysia / 10mth

MoF has no choice but to take over LCS project: Anwar

Malaysia / 10mth

MoF sets up SPV to take over Boustead as subsidiary

Spotlight

Events

UK alumni lauded for stellar achievements as British Council observes 75 years in Malaysia

Malaysia

Don’t let politicians, activists stir up hatred against KK Mart, PBK tells cops

By The Vibes Team

Malaysia

7.7 mil people registered in Padu, 2.5 mil cyberattacks, but not one success: Rafizi

By Stephen Then

Malaysia

Farewell Aunty Bersih, you will be missed

By Ian McIntyre

Malaysia

Couple make two trips to workshop to find trapped kitten in car

Malaysia

KK Mart founder, director charged with wounding religious feelings of others over 'Allah' socks

By The Vibes Team

You may be interested

Malaysia

Speed limit at George Town World Heritage Site reduced to 40 km/h

By Shahrim Tamrin

Malaysia

Nuzul Al-Quran: PM calls on Muslims to analyse, interpret the Quran

Malaysia

King calls on all parties to stop fuelling anger over socks issue

By The Vibes Team

Malaysia

Sabah polls: We will let BN leadership decide on partners, says Bung

By Jason Santos

Malaysia

Anwar receives courtesy call from Indian External Affairs Minister

Malaysia

Review of taxation structure, SARA among focus of parliament today

Malaysia

Padu: No need for excessive information unrelated to one’s financial status, says Abang Jo

By The Vibes Team

Malaysia

Sabah orders immediate water supply to over 50,000 households

By Jason Santos