War of words over ‘lambs to slaughter’ testimony

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s lawyer has refuted claims by former 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) general counsel Jasmine Loo that its board of directors blindly followed the ex-premier’s instructions to the company “like lambs to slaughter.”

Loo, who was being cross-examined by Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah in Najib’s 1MDB trial, testified that the board blindly followed and took comfort in whatever Najib had approved as per Article 117 of the Memorandum & Articles of Association (M&A).

Muhammad Shafee lashed back and questioned the witness whether the board “exercised their minds” when they followed Najib’s decisions.

Loo replied that Article 117 required the approval of the prime minister for substantial transactions.

Muhammad Shafee: My client, the Minister of Finance did it in accordance with the law; he took note of the directors and gave the approval as stated in Article 117 as the shareholder. So where is the inconsistency? So where is the paper that made the PM a monster, and he led the poor directors like lamb to slaughter?

Loo: Although it doesn’t say, in sum and substance, it’s the same. 1MDB treated the shareholder (Najib) in his capacity as the prime minister.

Article 117 states that the prime minister has the final on M&A amendments, or appointment and dismissal of directors, and highest management of 1MDB.

It also states that any investment, financial and structuring decision involving the company’s interests that are closely related to any national interest, security and government policy must obtain written approval from the prime minister.

Yesterday’s hearing was cut short for the day after the court was informed that Najib was unwell.

Kajang Prison Health clinic medical officer Dr Mohd Hafiz Mohd Hoshni, who examined Najib, told the court that the former premier complained of a stomach ache and went to the toilet three times in the morning.

“Najib looked weak, tired and dehydrated. I prescribed him Buscopan, Lomotil, an oral rehydration salt,” said Dr Mohd Hafiz.

Najib’s blood pressure was also low, he said.

Dr Mohd Hafiz was summoned to the court to explain Najib’s condition after deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib said he was informed of Najib’s illness by the prison authorities during a short break in the proceeding.

Najib, 70, is on trial for 25 charges in total – four for abuse of power that allegedly brought him financial benefit to the tune of RM2.28bil, and 21 charges for money laundering involving the same amount of money.

The hearing continues before Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah today.