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KUALA LUMPUR - A private investigator who made explosive allegations linking Malaysia's deputy premier Najib Razak to the murder of a Mongolian woman retracted the claims Friday, saying he made them under duress.
The revelation was the latest twist in a political drama gripping Malaysia, as opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim trades blows with Najib -- who is heir apparent to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Anwar in turn faces new allegations of sodomy -- the same charge that saw him jailed a decade ago -- which he says have been orchestrated by the government to prevent him from seizing power.
Private investigator Balasubramaniam Perumal released a sworn statement Thursday which said he had given police detailed information about Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu which was never raised during the murder trial.
He also said that the man accused of abetting the 2006 murder -- Abdul Razak Baginda, a close friend of Najib -- told him the deputy premier had a sexual relationship with Altantuya.
Najib insisted Thursday he had never even met the murdered woman -- whose body was blown up with explosives in a remote forest -- and that the claims were "a terrible lie, a malicious fabrication" designed to tarnish his image.
Balasubramaniam released a new statutory declaration on Friday withdrawing his earlier statement, which he said he was "compelled to affirm... under duress".
He had personally released the original document at a press conference organised by Anwar, who faces a police investigation over accusations that he sexually assaulted a 23-year-old male aide.
Balasubramanian said he was hired by Abdul Razak in the days before Altantuya's death and had information on her relationship with Najib which he related to police during questioning but which never saw the light of day.
Anwar, who was sacked as deputy prime minister in 1998 and went to jail for six years on sodomy and corruption counts, has said the new allegations against him are an attempt to sideline him once again.
In another revelation, Najib said Thursday he had met with Anwar's accuser before he made a police report on the alleged assault.
"He came to see me, complaining that he was sodomised by Anwar Ibrahim. I wasn't even sure if it was true or not," he said.
Veteran opposition figure Lim Kit Siang said police must explain their involvement in the case, after Balasubramanian's lawyer said the about-face came after he was summoned to speak to police.
Lim said the whole affair "can only plunge national and international confidence in the integrity, credibility and legitimacy of the Abdullah administration to a new nadir".
The political crisis could escalate on Sunday when Anwar's opposition alliance is pushing ahead with a major demonstration against a recent fuel price hike, despite a police ban and fears authorities may use force.
"We call on Malaysians who support the movement for a more just and transparent government to join this Sunday's peaceful gathering. We also call upon Malaysians not to be influenced by outside provocation," Anwar said.
The 60-year-old opposition leader -- who has said he has the numbers to oust the government with the help of defecting lawmakers -- has promised to slash fuel prices if he comes to power.
Anwar's party said that two youth members were arrested Friday for distributing pamphlets promoting the protest, and condemned the move as an act of intimidation. - AFP/ir
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