Malaysia to extend all necessary cooperation on case vs Amalilio

Articles by Mr. Jarius Bondoc in the Philippine STAR:

i. “Beware: Crooked Malaysian politicos protecting Amalilio,” Feb. 1, 2013;

ii. “Amalilio, a nephew of Sabah minister,” Feb. 2, 2013 and

iii. Blood ties or none, just deport conman,” Feb. 4, 2013.

It has come to the attention of the Government of Malaysia, the three articles written by Mr. Jarius Bondoc, published in The Philippine STAR, dated Feb.  1, 2013, “Beware: Crooked Malaysian Politicos Protecting Amalilio,” Feb. 2, 2013, “Amalilio, A Nephew of Sabah Minister,” and Feb. 4, 2014, “Blood ties or none, just deport conman,” which highlighted that a Philippine national, Manuel Amalilio alias Mohammad Suffian Saaid was hiding in Sabah. Mr. Bondoc, in his article, accused the Government of Malaysia, specifically the Sabah State Government, of harboring a fugitive and a conman, who is accused of siphoning P12 billion (approx $290 million) from a Ponzi scheme, victimizing up to 15,000 Philippine nationals.

For your information, Mr. Amalilio was arrested on Jan. 25, 2013 in Kota Kinabalu by the Malaysian authorities. He was formally charged on Feb. 4, 2013 for possessing a fake foreign passport. He later pleaded guilty to the offense and was sentenced to two years imprisonment.

The Attorney General of Malaysia met with the Philippine Department of Justice Undersecretary Mr. Jose B. Salazar and his delegation in a meeting at the former’s office in Putrajaya on Feb. 6, 2013. Pursuant to this, the Attorney General directed the Malaysian authorities to check and freeze all financial records and assets of Mr. Amalilio and his associates. The Government of Malaysia through the Office of Attorney General had received the official request from the Philippine Department of Justice for Mutual Legal Assistance in criminal matters to extradite Mr. Amalilio back to the Philippines on Jan. 7, 2013. The Attorney General’s Chambers is fully committed to assist with the prosecution regardless of Mr. Amalilio’s citizenship.

Mr. Bondoc in his article also wrote among others: the family connection between Mr. Amalilio and Dato’ Seri Musa Aman, Chief Minister of Sabah and Dato’ Sri Anifah Hj. Aman, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia; the claim that Dato’s Seri Najib Tun Haji Abdul Razak, the Prime Minister of Malaysia is involved in receiving kickbacks during the purchase of the Scorpene submarines, and lastly the issue of shady citizenship in Sabah.

It is a known fact that both the Chief Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs are siblings, but there is no hard evidence that Mr. Amalilio is indeed an immediate relative to both Ministers.

On the allegations made by Mr. Bondoc on Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak receiving kickbacks during the purchase of Scorpene submarines, it was explained by the Auditor General of Malaysia, as well as the Defence Minister of Malaysia that the procurement of the submarines was made according to legal procedures.

Mr. Bondoc also raised the issue on citizenship in Sabah. For your information, there is on-going investigation by the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on the influx of illegal immigrants in Sabah. Former High Court judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Steve Shim has been appointed to head the Royal Commission of Inquiry. The RCI inquiry is still on going and it is not fitting for the Government of Malaysia to pass any comments until the Commission has concluded its findings.

The Government of Malaysia values the excellent relations between Malaysia and the Philippines, and also firmly believes in the practice of “Prosper Thy Neighbor.” In this spirit, we will extend all necessary cooperation required by the Philippine Government in relation to the case against Mr. Amalilio in the Philippines. —YAP WEI SIN, First Secretary, Embassy of Malaysia, Makati City