PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Razak told the High Court here that his stepson Riza Aziz made Hollywood films with "clean money" obtained as a loan from an Abu Dhabi-based fund.
The former prime minister testified that Riza Aziz - whose full name is Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz - received the money from Aabar Investments PJS as a "straightforward loan."
Najib said when re-examined by his lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah that the loan was a decision by Emirati royal Sheikh Mansour ibn Zayed Al Nahyan.
During cross-examination, the prosecution suggested Najib sought help from an Arab royal in a phone call to get a legitimate agreement in writing to cover an alleged money laundering scheme involving Riza.
Najib disagreed with the suggestion, saying he was confident Riza would not have taken the money if it was not a loan.
"He (Riza) knew it was straightforward, clean money, given by Aabar. And as a result of that he makes movies. The movies make money," Najib said at the RM2.28bil 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) trial on Thursday (Jan 23).
The former Pekan MP said Riza had begun repaying a significant amount of the loan.
"His action shows that he believed it was a loan and it was clean money," Najib added.
Riza co-founded Red Granite Pictures with producing partner Joey McFarland in 2010.
The production house produced several Hollywood films, including the Academy Award-winning "The Wolf of Wall Street," starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie.
Other films included "Daddy's Home," starring Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell.
The prosecution contended that the films were produced using funds misappropriated from 1MDB.
On Oct 30, 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.
