Patriot chief tells Najib to stop his nonsense over 'sumpah laknat'

Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan has spoken out to express its disgust over former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak's intention of making a “sumpah laknat” in denial of the allegation made by former police officer Azilah Hadri that he ordered the murder of Altantuya Shaaribuu.

A sumpah laknat is an oath, beseeching God to curse those who are in the wrong.

Telling Najib to stop his nonsense, Patriot president Brigadier-General (Rtd) Mohamed Arshad Raji (above) said that he was "making a mockery of the Islamic religious oath".

"An allegation of murder is a very serious matter. It is not a trivial matter such as a chicken or a goat has gone missing in a kampung where the matter can be settled with a sumpah (oath).

"If an alleged serious crime such as murder can be settled with a mere sumpah, then any perpetrator of serious crimes, including embezzlement and white-collar crimes at high offices can also get away with a sumpah too," said Arshad in a statement today.

He said that Patriot is puzzled as to why muftis and those in the religious departments do not put a stop to Najib’s "antics", which Arshad feels are clearly making a mockery of the religion.

Najib tweeted that he will be swearing the oath at Masjid Jamek in Kampung Baru after Friday prayers today.

He later added that he was prepared to make a sumpah laknat to deny his alleged involvement in the 1MDB scandal as well.

"The US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have now named Najib as a recipient of kickbacks from bonds raised for 1MDB," Arshad said.

"Besides Najib Razak, the US SEC also mentioned there were other government officials and their families in Malaysia receiving kickbacks from the more than US$2.7 billion.

"The people want to know who those other officials and their families that are involved in this most repugnant and repulsive of schemes," he said.

He said that Patriot supports MACC chief Latheefa Koya in her wish to reopen some high profile cold cases.

"The MACC must show that it is above board and its action and decision is independent of the Executive. A clear message must be sent that we have zero tolerance to corruption," Arshad added.