PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Razak has told the High Court that not a single sen from 1Malaysia Development Bhd’s (1MDB) coffers were spent on corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects for his own benefit or to boost his personal image.
The former prime minister said he was only carrying out his official duties as the country’s premier and that the source of funds came from a donation from the late King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.
Najib was under cross-examination by Deputy Public Prosecutor Kamal Bahrin Omar in the RM2.28bil 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) trial yesterday.
The DPP was questioning Najib on several cheques issued in August 2013 which Najib claimed were for CSR purposes for the public.
Totalling RM22.65mil, the cheques were RM20mil to Umno, RM100,000 to Batu Kawan Umno division, RM246,000 was given to one Lim Soon Peng, RM2mil was given to ORB Solutions Sdn Bhd and RM303,000 went to Semarak Konsortium Satu Sdn Bhd.
DPP Kamal suggested that the disbursement of monies had personally benefited Najib.
DPP Kamal: It boosted your image as the (then) Umno president who is able to give the aid.
Najib: Disagree.
The prosecution then queried Najib on payments to ORB Solutions (social media management), Semarak Konsortium (for speech writing services) and Lim (managing Najib’s “Ah Jib Gor” Facebook page).
DPP Kamal suggested that all these payments were linked to Najib’s personal interest as they were a “boost” to his image with the Chinese community.
Najib agreed that the Facebook page was crucial to his engagement with the Chinese community but he maintained that what he did was consistent with the Arab donation letters he received.
DPP Kamal argued that the Prime Minister’s Office could have managed Najib’s social media to boost his image.
Najib replied that the task required specific expertise.
DPP Kamal: How about speech writing? Can’t PMO officers draft speeches for you?
Najib: I need those with high proficiency in English. It was hard to find at that time.
Najib also disagreed with the suggestion that the funds for these outsourced work came from illegal means.
On Oct 30 last year, Najib was ordered by the High Court to enter his defence on four counts of using his position to obtain RM2.28bil gratification from 1MDB’s funds and 21 counts of money laundering involving the same amount.
The hearing continues before Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah today.
