SRC trial: Company chief wanted safe space to talk

KUALA LUMPUR: Former SRC International Sdn Bhd director Datuk Suboh Md Yassin had requested for a secured accommodation from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in order for him to give his statement last year, the High Court heard.

Investigating officer Rosli Husain from the MACC recorded Suboh’s statement on May 28,2018, at the Pullman Hotel in Putrajaya a day after he arrived from Indonesia.

Suboh had fled Malaysia in 2015 during the height of the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.

“He asked for the MACC’s help to get a secure accommodation. The commission bore the cost, ” Rosli said here Thursday (Aug 22).

He was testifying in the corruption trial of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak who is accused of misappropriating RM42mil in SRC International funds.

Rosli said Suboh was not well when his statement was recorded and was in a wheelchair.

At this point, Najib’s lawyer Harvinderjit Singh interjected and said that according to procedure, the commission could not record a statement from an unwell person.

“Don’t give me these stories, ” the lawyer said.

Rosli appeared irritated at the comment and raised his voice.

“Tuan (sir), do you want to hear my explanation or not?” he said.

Harvinderjit then cut him off and put his hand up towards the witness.

“Tunggu tuan! (Wait, sir!) Don't worry, you will have ample time to explain, ” he said.

To another question, Rosli disagreed that the MACC had pressured Suboh into changing his statement.

“Not at all. I am the investigating officer in the case. I am responsible for this case, ” he said.

Najib is facing seven charges, of which three are for criminal breach of trust, one for abuse of power and three for money laundering involving SRC International funds totalling RM42mil.

The hearing continues before Justice Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali on Friday (Aug 23).