One ring, One yacht, but many questions ...

One ring, many questions — Atan Shaharuddin

from The Malaysian Insider :: Side Views

JULY 29 — The story of the million-dollar diamond ring has finally made the leap from the Internet to the mainstream press. And Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor has denied it is hers.

This is the latest allegation against her since even before her husband became prime minister in April 2009. One has to wonder why she is a favourite target of unflattering gossip and innuendoes.

All said and done, the PM's wife's denial raises more questions rather than sending the rumour to oblivion

1) Why did Rosmah take so long to deny this allegation which has been floating around for nearly a month?

This is serious business. Who brings a ring costing RM24 million? Does the PM have that much to spend on a diamond ring? Or Rosmah herself? Can we have their public declaration of their wealth and businesses, if any?

2) Even if we buy this story about Jacob the jeweller using her name for money-laundering activities, why her? Isn't that too random? It's like the £3 billion golden yacht belonging to a Malaysian businessman. Random. And a hoax.

More importantly, does she know this jeweller with a less than a clean past? Do her associates or friends know Jacob?

3) Some of Umno blogs have not denied that the ring was in the country but that it was only RM24 million and not US$24 million. They also said the ring is no longer in the country and has been returned.

So, is the ring gone? Or still here. This is too important to sweep under the carpet.

4) Others say that the ring was a present to the first lady. Who gave her the ring in such a graceless way? And why?

There are just too many questions and this will weigh heavily on Datuk Seri Najib Razak. Is this why his actions are a bit irrational, pissing off the Christians one day and the Wahhabi Muslims the next.

Mr Prime Minister, you have to explain this. Your political opponents will take you to the cleaners on this one, pun intended.

The Malaysian Insider, I hope you too get to the bottom of this story. Don't rely on spin doctors in the PMO or foreign consultants like FBC Media. Their job is to keep their job while serving factions within Putrajaya.

This one ring is more than the gossip or scandals over the past years. This can bring down a government faster than any street rally can ever hope to achieve.

Rosmah: Diamond ring allegation a slander

Rosmah Mansor, wife of PM Najib Abdul Razak, dismisses the allegation she bought a RM24.4 million diamond ring, terming it slanderous. Rosmah Mansor, wife of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, has denied the allegation that she had purchased a RM24.4 million diamond ring, calling it another slander against her. "There is nothing I want to say (in relation to the purchase of ring) because I have no time to entertain such issue. "Let him (the blogger who made the allegation) say what he wants," she was quoted as saying by Malay daily Berita Harian in a report today. "This is nothing funny, this is slander... what have I not experienced? I have experienced all (slander). "Rather than entertaining such an issue, it is better for me to focus on people's issues because they are more important," she said after attending a function in Pokok Sena, Kedah, yesterday. Rosmah (right) also said that as the wife of the prime minister, and with qualifications, it was more appropriate for her to contribute to the people, including her efforts to strengthen pre-school education in the country, especially in the rural hinterland. Children foremost in her mind "I'm more comfortable with what I'm doing now to help the people, particularly on the matter of strengthening pre-school education for children, especially in the rural areas because, for me, knowledge is the most valuable property for their future," she added. The opposition has also alleged that Rosmah had bought a import-duty-free multi-million ringgit diamond ring. Badrul Hisham Shaharin, a PKR leader heading the NGO Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM), had lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on the issue. Badrul claimed that a purported Customs Department information system printout, which he would hand over to the anti-graft body, implicates Rosmah as receiver of the diamond ring. According to him, the "Natural Fancy Gray Cushion Cut Diamond", priced at RM24,458,400, was flown in through the KL International Airport. Badrul alleged that the item was purchased through Jacob & Co, a New York-based fine jewellery company, and brought to Malaysia by one Jeremy Beh Sin Tee.