PUTRAJAYA: A Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officer has denied claims that his promotion was linked to favourable investigation results for then-premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Fikri Ab Rahim, 50, told the High Court that the chief commissioner determined his promotion.
"My promotion was determined by the MACC and the then-chief commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim," said the eighth defence witness in Najib's RM2.28bil 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) trial on Tuesday (Feb 18).
Fikri was one of the MACC investigating officers who went to the Riyadh Palace between November 27 and November 29, 2015, to verify the authenticity of four donation letters from Saudi Arabia.
The team was also tasked with recording statements from a Saudi prince, Prince Saud Abdulaziz Majid Al-Saud, who was said to have signed the donation letters addressed to Najib.
During cross-examination, Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib suggested that Fikri's involvement in the Riyadh trip was part of a coordinated effort to favour the former prime minister, implying he was "rewarded" for his contribution.
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DPP Ahmad Akram: Can I say that you are a rising star in the MACC?
Fikri: I do climb the ladder quickly.
DPP Ahmad Akram: In about 11 to 12 years, you rose to Jusa C (Jawatan Utama Sektor Awam) due to your work quality, being the first in your batch to be promoted to Jusa C.
Fikri: I believe so.
When re-examined by Najib's lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, Fikri said his promotion from Grade 41 to 54 was at an accelerated pace, even before the Saudi trip.
He was later promoted to Jusa Grade C in 2017.
"I was in Grade 54 when I went to Saudi. I was only promoted to Jusa C in 2017.
"The investigations were still ongoing. I don't see how Najib played any role in my promotion," Fikri said.
In the public sector, a jump from Grade 41 to Grade 54 involves four promotional jumps.
On October 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 in gratification from 1MDB's funds and 21 counts of money laundering involving the same amount.
The hearing continues before Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah on Thursday (Feb 20).
