Najib received RM1mil special payment after retiring as PM

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): A witness told the High Court here that Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak received a special payment of RM1 million after retiring as prime minister as provided under the Members of Parliament (Remuneration) Act 1980.

Accountant Natasha Rahimah Haryati Mohamad said in her statement said the special payment was made in May 2018.

The 47-year-old with the Finance Department of the Prime Minister's Department said the gift was a one-off payment upon the prime minister's retirement.

She said Najib also received a gross monthly income of RM58,605.15 from April 2009 until May 2018 through his Affin Bank account.

The second prosecution witness said this during the examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib on the first day of Najib's 1MDB trial.

When questioned by Najib's lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, the witness said the RM58,605 was his salary as the prime minister.

Earlier, the witness confirmed that she was asked by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to submit Najib's monthly salary slips and earning statements from 2006 until May 2018.

"As the Claims and Remuneration Unit chief, I am responsible for the payment of salaries to civil servants and administrative staff in the Prime Minister's Department (JPM).

"I also have access to Najib's annual income statements and salary slips from January 2006 to May 2018," she said.

Earlier, Cabinet, Constitution and Intergovernmental Affairs Division deputy secretary-general Datuk Dr Farizah Ahmad confirmed the positions held by Najib from 2006 to 2018 included being the finance minister, defence minister, youth and sports minister, education minister and deputy prime minister.

Najib is facing four charges of having used his position to obtain gratification, totalling RM2.3bil from 1MDB funds and 21 counts of money laundering involving the same money.

He faces imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine of up to five times the sum or value of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if found guilty.

The Pekan MP is alleged to have committed the offences at AmIslamic Bank Bhd, No 55, Jalan Raja Chulan, Bukit Ceylon here, between 2011 and 2014. - Bernama