KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigating officer has told the High Court here he did not question Datuk Seri Najib Razak's reason for giving two cheques totalling RM9.5mil to Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah's lawyer in 2013 and 2014.
Mohamad Farid Jabar, 37, said he also did not meet with the former prime minister to confirm the matter.
The cheques, one for RM4.3mil dated Sept 3, 2013 and the other for RM5.2mil dated Feb 17, 2014 were issued by Najib himself to Muhammad Shafee (pic).
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The eighth prosecution witness told this to lawyer Harvinderjit Singh, representing Muhammad Shafee, 70, in his ongoing trial.
Muhammad Shafee is accused of receiving RM9.5mil in proceeds from unlawful activities from Najib and also faces two charges of making false statements to the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN).
Questioned by deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Afzainizam Abdul Aziz whether or not there was any invoice for the payment of RM9.5mil, Mohamad Farid replied: "None".
Earlier, the witness had told the court that the RM9.5mil was payment for legal advice given to Najib and Umno from 2004 to 2006, including for the filing of election petitions.
At the proceedings on Wednesday (April 27), Mohamad Farid said he had never asked for or issued a notice to Messrs Shafee & Co to submit an invoice regarding the payment of the RM9.5mil.
Mohamad Farid, who is the last prosecution witness, also admitted that he did not conduct any investigation on the files at the legal firm or take any evidence from Muhammad Shafee's clients.
Asked by Harvinderjit Singh if he was told that the cheques were issued by Najib to Muhammad Shafee for acting as DPP in the sodomy appeal case involving Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the witness said "No".
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On March 11, 2015 former minister in the prime minister's department Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri told the Dewan Rakyat that Muhammad Shafee received a payment of RM1,000 as DPP in Anwar’s case.
On Sept 13, 2018 Muhammad Shafee pleaded not guilty to two charges of receiving RM9.5mil which were said to be proceeds from unlawful activities through two cheques issued by Najib which were deposited in his CIMB Bank Berhad account.
The lawyer was also charged with two counts of engaging in transactions resulting from illegal activities, namely submitting incorrect tax returns, in violation of paragraph 113 (1) (a) of the Income Tax Act 1967 for the financial years ending Dec 31, 2013 and Dec 31, 2014.
The trial before Justice Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin continues on May 12. – Bernama
