SRC trial: Events firm owner received RM1mil from Najib for 1Malaysia programmes

KUALA LUMPUR: Event organising firm Solar Shine Sdn Bhd received a RM1mil cheque from Datuk Seri Najib Razak in 2015 for the promotion of the 1Malaysia programme nationwide.

Company owner Datuk Lew Choon Lai told the High Court here that the funds were used for his voluntary ground campaign involving the poor Chinese and Indian communities and senior citizens.

Lew testified before Justice Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali that he was a strong believer in 1Malaysia, which he deemed as a dream policy for all Malaysians.

"I wanted to do something, to serve such an honourable prime minister then for something I feel very strongly about," Lew said while being cross-examined by Najib's counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah on the 11th day of the SRC International trial on Tuesday (April 30).

This was music to Najib's ears as he was seen nodding his head and smiling in the dock.

He was so engrossed with the trial at this time that he left his phone and book – entitled Thinking Fast and Slow, authored by Daniel Kahneman – untouched.

Lew said the funds were for welfare and none benefited from it.

Shafee: So this money from Najib goes into welfare activities?

Lew: Yes.

Shafee: No money went into anyone's pockets?

Lew: No.

Shafee: Who suggested to you about the RM1mil?

Lew: There's no suggestion. I just received it. The PM has been very generous, and he's quite in a way satisfied with my work.

Lew had earlier told the High Court during cross-examination by DPP Muhammad Saifuddin Hashim Musaimi that he received the cheque personally from Najib at Level 5 of the Prime Minister's Office in Putrajaya.

DPP Saifuddin: Was your company involved with any political parties of Barisan Nasional?

Lew: Not actually, but we coordinate with them.

DPP Saifuddin: What do you mean coordinate?

Lew: For events such as when they need 300 tables for dinner, singers, musicians or lucky draws, we'll provide that.

Najib faces seven charges involving RM42mil belonging to SRC International Sdn Bhd.

On July 4 last year, Najib claimed trial to a charge of abuse of power and three counts of criminal breach of trust (CBT) linked to the 1Malaysian Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.

He allegedly misappropriated RM42mil in funds belonging to SRC International.

On Aug 8, 2018, he appeared in court again for the second time and was charged with three counts of money laundering involving the same RM42mil.