All gifts were from me, says Najib’s son-in-law

Kazakh Daniyar Kessikbayev tells Dr Mahathir Mohamad to stop using his wedding to the prime minister’s daughter for his own political mileage

(Free Malaysia Today) – Prime Minister Najib Razak’s Kazakh son-in-law Daniyar Kessikbayev has refuted claims that his wife presented him with 16 “barrels” of lavish gifts during their engagement ceremony as alleged by Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Daniyar told FMT that the gifts were in fact, a presentation of his dowry to his wife Nooryana Najwa, in accordance with the long-standing Kazakh practice of grooms showering their brides with presents.

He made this clarification in response to a claim by former premier Mahathir that he saw the gifts in 16 barrels when he attended the engagement ceremony.

Daniyar also corrected Mahathir about the use of the term “barrels”, saying the gifts were in chests.

“This is an ancient practice going back to the days of the Kazakh Khanate. It is only natural that my family stuck to our tradition because we are proud to share the Kazakh heritage with our new Malaysian family.

“I bought all the gifts myself and it did not involve any money from her family or the (Malaysian) government. I do not have any dealings or business with the government of Malaysia nor have I taken any money from the beloved people of Malaysia,” he said.

Daniyar, who last year was accused of having fudged his academic qualifications to get into the Columbia University in the United States, said he felt welcomed here.

While expressing respect for Mahathir, Daniyar also called for the elderly statesman to stop using his wedding for political mileage.

“I believe Dr Mahathir, as a wise politician, a father and a husband, can choose between what is wrong and what is right to speak as a political subject.”

In a recent interview uploaded on YouTube by blogger Din Turtle, Mahathir said he witnessed for himself the lavishness of Daniyar and Nooryana’s engagement ceremony in June 2011.