KUALA LUMPUR: A witness in the SRC International Sdn Bhd and Gandingan Mentari Sdn Bhd lawsuit against Datuk Seri Najib Razak was chided by the presiding judge over her brash responses during cross-examination.
High Court judge Justice Raja Ahmad Mohzanuddin Raja Mohzan told former Yayasan Rakyat 1Malaysia chief executive officer Ung Su Ling to stop with her "unnecessary remarks".
The witness appeared combative when being cross-examined by Najib's lawyer, Muhammad Farhan Muhammad Shafee, on the identity of a "friend" in her text messages with AmBank's former relationship manager, Joanna Yu, who handled Najib's bank accounts.
Farhan suggested in court on Monday (Oct 6) that the "friend" Yu was referring to in her messages was fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low.
Ung replied that she did not know who Yu had meant.
She went on to say that the lawyer was not in the conversation and did not know the context of the text.
Farhan then highlighted a "very intense" conversation between the two.
Farhan: You and Joanna (had) a rapid-fire chat, at least based on the time stamps.
Ung: Yes.
The lawyer said that despite Ung claiming not to know who the "friend" was in the chat, she had later replied in the same chat to Yu with: "I will clear with our friend and get back to you."
Farhan: So, quite clearly, the reference to "our friend" and your "friend" is the same. Who is
"our friend"?
Ung: Our friend would be (Najib's former principal private secretary) Datuk Azlin Alias.
Farhan: So Yu knows Datuk Azlin?
Ung: I don't know whether she knows him, but he asked us to open this account.
The witness then said that "our friend" was simply a term they used when they did not want to refer to someone by name.
Farhan then suggested that Ung was being dishonest, which prompted her to respond: "Aiyoh, please lah. I don't. I disagree".
Justice Raja Ahmad Mohzanuddin then interjected in the cross-examination.
"Stop making unnecessary remarks," he told the witness.
Ung then apologised to the court.
In May 2022, SRC International and Gandingan Mentari filed the lawsuit against Najib, accusing the former prime minister of breach of fiduciary duties, knowing receipt of funds, dishonest assistance, tort of misfeasance and abuse of power in relation to the misappropriation of SRC International funds.
The plaintiffs are seeking a court declaration that Najib is liable to them for receiving RM42mil and claiming damages for the knowing receipt, dishonest assistance, tort of misfeasance and abuse of power.
The hearing continues on Oct 13.
