PUTRAJAYA: The High Court here has been told that Datuk Seri Najib Razak's lawyer stopped him from giving statements to the police after he was charged in court in 2018.
Former investigating officer Senior Asst Comm (SAC) R. Rajagopal testified that due to this, the police were unable to obtain any clarification from the former prime minister over a joint venture (JV) between 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and PetroSaudi International Ltd (PSI).
In the JV, known as 'Project Aria', 1MDB had funded US$1bil to obtain 40% of shares in the JV company known as 1MDB PetroSaudi Ltd, while PetroSaudi Holdings (Cayman) Ltd injected some US$108mil for a 60% share.
According to SAC Rajagopal, who is the defence's 11th witness, Najib's lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah put a stop to the police attempt to record Najib's statement.
"My investigation is on the decision by the board of directors regarding the investment involving PetroSaudi Holdings Cayman, whether Najib had given a directive on the investment.
"I sought to record Najib's statement but at that time, Muhammad Shafee voiced out his protest. He said Najib was already charged in court.
"So he (Muhammad Shafee) objected to the police recording Najib's statement," SAC Rajagopal said here at the RM2.28bil 1MDB graft trial here on Tuesday (March 11).
The prosecution contended that the 'Project Aria' JV between 1MDB and PSI was a farce, with 1MDB borrowing US$1bil purportedly to invest in the JV company.
However, it was said that 1MDB did not enter into a JV with PSI. It instead went with PetroSaudi Holdings (Cayman) Ltd and Tariq Obaid, who executed the deals for PetroSaudi Holdings (Cayman).
Tariq Obaid is a known associate of fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho.
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 tomorrow on Wednesday (March 12).
