YOURSAY 'And the attempt to de-sanitise it at this sensitive time indicates that the potential threat to Najib's position is real enough for him.'

Scorpene deal 'broker' out to polish PM's image?

Abasir: Like a piece of old gum that's stubbornly and annoyingly stuck to the heel of his shoe, PM Najib Razak is trying once again to peel himself away from the sticky business involving the Scorpene billions, his best friend Abdul Razak Baginda and the late Altantuya Shaariibuu, who was murdered by his bodyguards.

Evidently, he now believes that no one believes his swearing on the Holy Quran disavowing all knowledge of the woman, hence this renewed attempt to distance himself from the bloody affair.

Unfortunately, he is once again relying on highly suspicious characters to vouch for his innocence - wheeler dealers like that other carpet seller whose self-published 'book' did not exactly make it to the bestsellers list.

What is interesting is that in both cases the shady fellows happen to be Indians in whom he evidently has lots of 'nambikei'. Now whether Jasbir Singh Chahl cuts any ice with Umno delegates weaned on scandals is a question we'll soon know the answer.

Anonymous #70881335: I can never understand. Billion dollar deals are done in a shady manner, and totally opaque. And then the persons concerned will say they are innocent and clean. My foot. Only an absolute moron will believe it.

Kim Quek: There is no doubt that the Scorpene-Altantuya scandal is Najib's weakest spot which is prone to be fatally exploited by his rival in the coming Umno party polls.

And the attempt to de-sanitise it at this sensitive time indicates that the potential threat to Najib's position is real enough for him to risk opening the Pandora's box.

That Najib is preparing himself for challenge to his party position is further evidenced from the postponement of the party polls to accommodate the visits of the United States and Chinese presidents, since such visits shortly before the polls are expected to add shine to his image and status.

Harapanbaru: Reconditioned submarines designed for deep water operations are almost entirely useless for Malaysia's defence purposes - unless we wish to enter a trans-Pacific naval battle.

The Scorpene scam was a dim-witted scheme right from the start and the bad decision goes beyond Najib as defence minister and also implicates former Umno leaders Daim Zainuddin and Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

We know who Umno worships and that might explain why the issue won't die a quiet death - not until Dr M obliges.

Magnus: Better still, why not ask Najib to go the whole hog and come clean by getting himself and all his cohorts in Umno-BN to voluntarily declare in a Public Register of Interests all their vested interests now held in legal, beneficial and in trust-based instruments in Malaysia and overseas. That ought to earn Najib some brownie points surely.

Fourtan: Murder most foul, lies at the highest office, media cover-ups, judiciary complicity, threats on life for telling the truth, political assassinations, billions stolen, a public paralysed by fear. What has become of beautiful Malaysia?

DontPlayGod: I believe there are people who know the truth, but these have either have been bought off or are afraid of the bullets that may await them.

Pak Lah: I haven't turned against Umno

Hang Babeuf: In his own mind, by his own motives, he (former PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) may not have turned against Umno. But, like all of us, Pak Lah is functioning in a context where to have a mind of your own, and speak it, is subversive of official order.

So, regardless of his intentions, he is guilty of treachery and rebellion.

Bystander: Pak Lah, please read the book to verify if what was written was what you said to the editors. You cannot distance yourself from the book which was supposedly written with your views.

If any part which is not authentic then declare it and even put the editors to task.

Tehachapi: Pak Lah is a courageous man who dares to speak his mind and risk ridicule and condemnations from his dysfunctional party and former boss.

Alas, the culture of Umno is not one which takes kindly to any constructive criticism even if it means for the good of the party organisation and the country. We just have to leave Umno to its own devices.

123456789: It is sneaky and high-handed to have caught this wonderful man and blind-side him. This is the type of tactics that the opposition subscribes to, and what's more, they have the gall to even launch it.

Here is one fact and one only - the Malay race will always reign supreme in this land, and when the time comes for them to stick together, I bet that they will, and people and traitors like Anwar Ibrahim will never be in the equation. Never. Long live the Malay race.

Not Convinced: 123456789, go tell your ‘one and only' fact to the millions of Malays who voted for Pakatan.

Apolitical Observer: Pak Lah, did you really practiced openness? Then why you had to lock the Hindraf leaders up and ban the organisation?

You treated them like terrorists and used the ISA against them. You call this openness in your administration?

Ipohcrite: I'm not sure whether Pak Lah has or has not turned against Umno, but one thing's for sure - Umno undeniably turned against him in 2008.

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