French Scorpene inquiry kicks off tomorrow

The French inquiry into alleged corruption in the purchase of two Scorpene class submarines by the Malaysian government in 2001 will begin tomorrow in the Paris Tribunal Grande Instance.

Human rights NGO Suaram said among the names of individuals who can assist in the inquiry it intends to include in its list are Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Suaram director Kua Kia Soong (right), secretariat member Cynthia Gabriel and lawyer Fadiah Nadwa Fikri will give witness statements as to why the NGO filed the case in 2010.

The case will be conducted before judges Roger Le Loire and Serge Tournaire. French litigators William Bourdon and Joseph Breham will act on Suaram's behalf.

Also to be suggested as a witness is Setev Shaariibuu, father of Mongolian national and interpreter Altantuya, whose 2006 murder is believed to linked to the purchase of the submarines.

“Suaram hopes that with the commencement of the case in France, we can send a clear message that Malaysians will not sit back and look at corrupt politicians and rampant corruption activities in Malaysia,” the NGO said in a statement today.

The inquiry is into alleged kickbacks paid by French defence manufacturer DCNS to companies belonging to political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda for the Malaysian submarine purchases.

Abdul Razak, a close associate of Najib, was acquitted of abetting two police personnel in Altantuya’s murder without his defence called.