PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Razak told the High Court that his stepson Riza Aziz made Hollywood movies with “clean money” that came to him as a loan from an Abu Dhabi-based fund.
The former prime minister said Riza Aziz, whose full name is Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz, accepted the money from Aabar Investments PJS because it was a “straightforward loan”.
According to Najib, who was re-examined by his lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, it was conveyed to Riza that the loan was a decision by Emirati royal Sheikh Mansour ibn Zayed Al Nahyan.
During cross-examination, the prosecution had suggested that Najib sought help from a member of Arab royalty in a phone call to get a legitimate agreement in writing to cover an alleged money laundering scheme involving Riza.Najib in his testimony said he disagreed with the suggestion because he was sure 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 made money,” Najib said at the RM2.28bil 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) trial here yesterday.
The former Pekan MP said Riza had begun paying back 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 a slew of Hollywood movies, including Academy Award-winning The Wolf of Wall Street, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie.
Other movie credits included Daddy’s Home starring Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell.
The prosecution contended that the movies were produced using funds that were misappropriated from 1MDB.
The court was also told that a Wisma Putra official didn’t need to be present during Najib’s meeting with two Saudi nationals, which 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’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 to be there too as it would be intrusive,” he said.
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 today.
