I was angry and irrational during press conference, claims PI Bala's widow

PETALING JAYA: A statement has been issued this Sunday purporting to be from A. Santamil Selvi – the widow of the late private investigator P. Balasubramaniam – explaining why she stormed out of a press conference on Saturday.

"At the time, I was in such an angry and frustrated state that I lost my ability to think rationally.

"I call for an end to the political games seeking to use my late husband and my family. My children and I have to continue our life," read the press release.

Santamil also said she met Pertubuhan Minda dan Social Prihatin Malaysia (Minda) president Datuk Ramesh Rao to seek financial assistance for the education of her children and living expenses.

"I met with Ramesh in his capacity as Minda president to ask help for my children's education and living expenses because several parties mentioned (at the press conference) on Saturday did not fulfil their promise to me and my children after my husband's death

Santamil said that she lost her patience during the press conference because of provocation by two foreign journalists from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

"Their questions were very confusing," said Santamil.

The two ABC journalists, reporter Linton Besser and camera operator Louis Eroglu, are part of ABC Four Corners, a current affairs programme.

It was reported that the duo have since been detained in Kuching for defying police orders while attending an event which Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak attended.

Santamil explained that she had filed a lawsuit against Najib, his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, and others on the suggestion of lawyer Americk (Sidhu) and several other PKR leaders.

"I only followed their suggestions due to pressures on my life," said Santamil.

In July 2014, Santamil filed an RM2mil suit naming Najib and others as defendants, to seek compensation for losses sustained by her family during a five-year exile in India.

Santamil reiterated that she wished to apologise to Najib and Rosmah for accusing them of her husband's murder.

Santamil also claimed in the press release that the statement she issued on Saturday was manipulated by several pro-Opposition factions.