KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — The editor of Sarawak Report (SR) has pledged to release emails from accuser Lester Melanyi to dispel the latter’s claim that the website tampered with documents on PetroSaudi International’s deal with 1 Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
Clare Rewcastle-Brown said the communication will allow the public to critically evaluate the allegations made by the former Sarawak Tribune editor who has since admitted to receiving payment for making the claim.
“I am going to dump his emails to me online (SR Facebook), so people can make up their own minds about this nonsense and I can stop answering so many questions.
“Over the past couple of months, Lester has sent me several fishing emails about my stories on Sarawak Report. I have generally given him one line replies. The interchanges make it pretty clear where I am coming from on this matter,” she told Malay Mail Online.
The allegations first surfaced when Umno minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan told a news conference on Wednesday that he had evidence that SR and its editors had fabricated the alleged document leaks in an attempt to discredit Najib.
Hours after the press conference, a video featuring Lester’s stunning allegations against SR was uploaded on YouTube.
Lester on Thursday admitted to Malay Mail Online that he was paid to expose a conspiracy involving Malaysia’s opposition, SR and its UK-based founder Rewcastle-Brown in their alleged plot to unseat Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak through so-called doctored leaks of documents on 1MDB.
Rewcastle-Brown has consistently denied forging documents for SR’s exposés on 1MDB, criticising her Umno critics instead for having so easily bought by the unverified news.
In an email interview earlier, she claimed that Lester is not a credible source, labelling him a “known liar and debtor” in Kuching.
Rewcastle-Brown also denied Lester had worked for her website, although she admitted to paying him a “few ringgit” once for helping provide an unrelated story.
She also alleged that he was using his association with the website for profit.
Lester told Malay Mail Online today that he has been questioned by federal police officers who are part of a special multi-agency taskforce investigating 1MDB.
