Abdul Razak Baginda
| Abdul Razak Baginda | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 February 1960 |
| Alma mater | University of Oxford |
| Occupation | Director of Islamic Peace Foundation,UK. |
| Religion | Islam |
Abdul Razak Baginda (born 6 February 1960) is a former political analyst from Malaysia, and close associate of the Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. He became prominent in 2006 when he was charged with abetting the murder of a Mongolian woman. He was acquitted on October 31, 2008 when the Malaysian High Court judge found no prima facie case against him. He continued writing while in prison, where he was remanded in custody and published a book on foreign affairs that was started during his incarceration.
Baginda, as he is often known, graduated with a bachelor's degree in politics and government from City polytechnic, London in 1982. He continued to study and gained a master's degree in War Studies at King's College London in 1984. He subsequently began a D.Phil in International Relations at Trinity College, Oxford, which he successfully completed.
In 1988, Baginda joined the Malaysian Armed Forces Defense College as a lecturer and eventually as the head of strategic studies. In 1993, he formed a think tank called the Malaysian Strategic Research Centre, which is based in Kuala Lumpur. It is responsible for the publication of many books on topics that include international relations, and such like. They regularly organise seminars on a myriad of local and international issues. He is also known to be an advisor to Najib Tun Razak.
The French courts are investigating allegations of corruption in the purchases of two Scorpène submarines, by the Malaysian Ministry of Defense in 2002, in a $2 billion deal brokered by Baginda who was at that time a defense analyst at the Malaysian Strategic Research Centre think-tank. The investigation is looking into bribes of $200 million involving companies belonging to Baginda and his family members, namely Perimekar, KS Ombak Laut Sdn Bhd and Terasasi (Hong Kong) Sdn Bhd.Shaariibuugiin Altantuyaa, a Mongolian woman hired as a French translator to facilitate the purchase of the submarines and mistress to Baginda, was found murdered after she harassed demanded a $500,000 commission on the deal. Baginda was acquitted of the charge of conspiracy of the murder of Altantuyaa by the Malaysian courts, and the father of Altantuyaa filed a RM100 million civil suit against Baginda, the 2 policemen accused of her murder and the Malaysian government.
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