Was the Special Branch involved in software purchase allegations?

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Special Branch Was Allegedly Involved in Software Purchase Allegations

Datuk Seri Najib Razak has refuted claims that his government acquired information-gathering software from an Israeli firm via a Cypriot intermediary to spy on the Opposition prior to the 2018 general election. He specifically addressed allegations that the police’s Special Branch was involved in the first phase of a purchasing agreement valued at US$1.5 million. Najib asserted that he had no direct role in the Special Branch's procurement decisions.
Allegations Regarding Special Branch's Involvement

News portals Malaysiakini and Malaysia Dateline reported that the initial phase of a software purchase agreement, amounting to US$1.5 million, was made with the police’s Special Branch. These reports suggested the software was intended for intelligence gathering and data analysis, with the transaction allegedly occurring through a Cypriot entity to acquire the tool from an Israeli company. The timing of this alleged purchase was also highlighted as being approximately one month before the 2018 general election.
Najib Razak's Denial of Direct Involvement

Najib Razak, in a Facebook post, denied any personal knowledge or involvement in such a purchase. He stated that he was not the home minister at the time the alleged transaction took place and maintained that the Special Branch independently makes its own purchasing decisions. He questioned the extent of his supposed responsibility in selecting and valuing specific software for their operational needs.
Questioning the Scope and Timing of the Alleged Purchase

Further elaborating on his rebuttal, Najib pointed out that the article cited April 2018 as the signing period for the first phase of the agreement. He argued that by this time, the government had already been dissolved in preparation for the general election, making it impossible for the software to be used for electoral purposes. He also raised questions about why subsequent phases of the deal, which began after the election and were significantly larger in value, were not scrutinised in the same manner.

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Was the Special Branch involved in software purchase allegations?

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