KUALA LUMPUR: The senior manager of AmBank (M) Bhd's Cheque Processing Centre told the High Court here on Wednesday (Sept 7) that Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had issued 38 cheques totaling RM8.4mil in 2011.
He added that the cheques were made out to individuals, Barisan Nasional and Umno divisions as well as companies.
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Badrul Hisam Mohamad, who is the 36th prosecution witness, said this when reading his witness statement, in the proceedings of the corruption and money-laundering case for RM2.3bil in 1MDB funds involving the former prime minister.
The 48-year-old witness said that among the recipients of the cheques were former land and cooperative development minister Tan Sri Kasitah Gadam, former human resources minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem and businessman Tan Sri Lim Soon Peng.
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Najib, 69, also issued cheques to Pekan Umno amounting to RM200,000, Pekan Wanita Umno (RM170,000), Selangor Wanita Umno (RM1.9mil), Selangor Umno (RM2mil), Bandar Tun Razak Barisan Nasional (RM200,000) and Machang Umno (RM400,000).
Badrul confirmed that the cheque transactions had been recorded in Najib's statement.
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"I was able to identify Datuk Seri Najib's signature because during the cheque verification process, his signature was recorded in the 'Signature Database System' (SDS).
"I also confirm that this cheque was issued by AmBank Islamic based on the special code found on the cheques," he said.
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Najib faces four charges of using his position to obtain bribes amounting to RM2.3bil in 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount of money.
The Pekan MP is alleged to have committed the act at AmIslamic Bank Berhad, Bukit Ceylon here between Feb 24, 2011 and Dec 19, 2014 while he is accused of commiting the charges of money laundering between March 23, 2013 and Aug 30, 2013, at the same location.
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He was charged according to Section 23 (1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act and can be punished under Section 24 (1) of the same act.
The former finance minister faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to five times the amount or value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if found guilty.
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For the 21 charges of money laundering, Najib is accused of committing the offences at the same bank, between March 22, 2013 and August 30, 2013.
All charges are under Section 4 (1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act, which provides for a maximum fine of RM 5mil and imprisonment of up to five years or both, if convicted.
The trial before Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah continued with the main examination by Deputy Public Prosecutor, Deepa Nair Thevaharan.
