[UPDATED] LCS issue: Latiff linked to businessman mired in global scandals, Rafizi alleges

PETALING JAYA – PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli is once again on the offensive against Datuk Abdul Latiff Ahmad, alleging that the latter has ties with an internationally dubious character. 

Rafizi claimed that through the company Mega P Asia Sdn Bhd, the caretaker special functions minister had business dealings with a Malaysian businessman named Jaya Sudhir Jayaram, who has apparently been named in global scandals.

Latiff, together with French-national Thierry Georges Andre Barrier, had formed Mega P Asia in 2015, Rafizi claimed. The company has since been appointed a subcontractor for several national marine defence projects. 

Rafizi also asserted that Jaya had been named by top Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) officials as being involved in the contentious littoral combat ships (LCS) issue. 

“Records show that Jaya Sudhir, who has a relationship with politics from Malaysia and Sri Lanka, has been part of numerous controversies,” Rafizi said during a press conference at the PKR headquarters here.

Citing findings by a United Nations’ independent inquiry committee, Rafizi said that Jaya was implicated in bribing the Saddam Hussein regime with up to US$10 million (RM47.45 million) to secure contracts in the Iraqi oil-for-food programme.

“Two of Jaya Sudhir's business partners (named in the findings) were Mastek Sdn Bhd owners Noor Aishah Mahmood and Faek Ahmad Sharef.

“Noor Aishah is the sister-in-law to former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi while Faek is her ex-husband,” Rafizi claimed.

He also said that individuals believed to be Jaya Sudhir’s sons, Johnathan Jaya Sudhir and Gregory Jaya Sudhir, had acted as a cover for the individual, with their names being mentioned in documents instead of their father’s.

A previous report by The Vibes listed the duo among those involved in the MySejahtera application ownership issue, with Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) documents naming them as a shareholder of MySJ Sdn Bhd through P2 Asset Management Sdn Bhd.

“Jaya Sudhir was also elected as MySejahtera chief business development officer, where he is sure to (be part of) negotiations for government concessions,” Rafizi claimed. 

“I am not trying to accuse anyone (regarding the MySejahtera issue) but I am trying to uncover the political and business nexus in our nation.

“The fact that Jaya Sudhir has been involved in such scandals shows how powerful cronies behind the scenes are.”

He also shared documents showing that Johnathan and Gregory had replaced Latiff as directors in Mega P. Asia on March 10, 2020. 

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 syphoning 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. – The Vibes, November 3, 2022