PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s lawyer had stopped him from giving statements to the police after he was charged in court in 2018, the High Court heard.
Former investigating officer Senior Asst Comm R. Rajagopal testified that due to this, the police was 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. PetroSaudi Holdings (Cayman) Ltd, on the other hand, injected some US$108mil for 60% shareholding.
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 trying 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 had objected to the police recording Najib’s statement,” SAC Rajagopal said here at the RM2.28bil 1MDB graft trial here yesterday.
The hearing continues before Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah today.
