Justo's written confession shows there were detailed efforts to topple govt - Zahid Hamidi

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said a written confession made on his own volition by Xavier Andre Justo, a former executive of PetroSaudi International Ltd, shows there were 'detailed efforts' to topple the government.

As such, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) can open investigation papers against the individuals named by Justo in his written confession.

"RMP received full cooperation from the Thai authorities and will do the necessary including opening investigation papers on the individuals named and later hand them over to the Attorney-General's Chambers for prosecution," he said.

He was speaking at a press conference after chairing a special meeting of the Central Disaster Management and Aid Committee on Tuesday.

Ahmad Zahid said all the documents which are sources of news published in a newspaper (The New Straits Times) are documents obtained from the Thai authorities with particulars and details listed in Justo's written confession.

"Although Justo says his intention was only for monetary gain and not anything apart from that, it is clearly visible there have been detailed efforts made by people whose names have been mentioned, to topple the government.

The New Straits Times today reported that Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar was allegedly keen to buy data on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) stolen by Justo in 2011.

The report also stated that Justo, who reportedly wanted a cash payment of US$2 million for the documents, claimed that the editor of London-based whistleblower site Sarawak Report, Clare Rewcastle-Brown, had acted as the intermediary between him and Nurul Izzah.

However, the report claimed that he rejected Nurul Izzah's offer because she wanted to pay in the form of government contracts once the opposition came into power.

Justo, a Swiss citizen, is serving a three-year prison sentence in Bangkok for the offence of attempting to blackmail his former employer Petrosaudi International using the purportedly incriminating stolen documents.