PUTRAJAYA: Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak did not wield dictator-like powers in 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), the High Court has been told.
Tan Sri Che Lodin Wok Kamaruddin, a former 1MDB chairman, testified that Article 117 of the company's Memorandum and Articles of Association (M&A) did not give Najib absolute power akin to a dictator.
Under Article 117, every important decision must be made under instruction or receive approval from the prime minister.
Najib was the sole shareholder of 1MDB by virtue of being the finance minister as 1MDB is fully owned by the Minister of Finance Inc.
"There are many aspects of 1MDB operations that do not require approval under Article 117.
"If the prime minister is considered a 'dictator' under Article 117, of course in many ways it will disrupt the operations of 1MDB because every little matter that needs to be carried out needs (his) approval under Article 117, if it is interpreted as such," said Che Lodin.
He was under examination-in-chief conducted by Najib's lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah at the RM2.28bil 1MDB graft trial involving Najib here on Wednesday (Feb 26).
Muhammad Shafee: Has that ever happened, where in almost every decision, the prime minister makes a decision?
Che Lodin: No.
According to the defence's 12th witness, not every matter in the company has to go through shareholder approval.
Muhammad Shafee: The decision-making power in the company, where does it lie?
Che Lodin: The board (of directors).
The High Court had previously heard from prosecution witnesses that Najib held "ultimate power" in 1MDB when it came to the company's decision-making.
Muhammad Shafee also asked Che Lodin about the veracity of his answers in court.
Muhammad Shafee: When you testified in court the past few days... Are you giving evidence in order to help Najib?
Che Lodin: I try very much to present what is really happening, actually happening and clearly happening in the operations of 1MDB when I was the director and chairman of the 1MDB board.
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 on Thursday (Feb 27).
