PUTRAJAYA: The High Court was told that it was not necessary for a Wisma Putra official to be present during Datuk Seri Najib Razak's meeting with two Saudi nationals as it happened during his family's private vacation on board a yacht.
Najib testified that it was illogical to bring along government officials for the meeting with Saudi Arabia's Prince Turki ibn Abdullah Al-Saud, that took place on the RM Elegance yacht in 2009.
"It doesn't make sense (to bring government officials). I was on holiday.
"When I am on holiday, I don't get Wisma Putra involved. I was there with my family.
"You wouldn't want government officials to be there with you while you're holidaying. They would probably feel awkward too as it would be intrusive," he said.
Najib said this during re-examination by his lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah at the RM2.28bil 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) here on Thursday (Jan 23).
The court had previously heard from Najib that he was with his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, his children Nor Ashman Razak and Nooryana Najwa, and stepson Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz (Riza Aziz) on a private family vacation in southern France in 2009 when he received the invitation from Prince Turki for him and his family to join high tea on board the RM Elegance yacht.
The meeting was also joined by Petrosaudi International Ltd chief executive officer Tarek Obaid and fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, or known as Jho Low.
Najib had maintained that the afternoon tea was informal and had no hidden agenda or nefarious intent.
On Oct 30, 2024, 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.
