DPP says former PM’s claim of Saudi Arabian donor is ‘unbelievable’
PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Razak was the biggest beneficiary of the RM2.28bil misappropriated from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), the High Court heard.
Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Ahmad Akram Gharib, in his submissions, also dismissed the former prime minister’s claim that the billions in his accounts were Saudi Arabian donations as unsubstantiated and “untenable”.
The DPP was making his submissions in Najib’s graft trial involving RM2.28bil from 1MDB.
He said Najib’s defence had argued how those linked to 1MDB benefitted from the financial scandal – particularly former 1MDB CEO Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi, former 1MDB general counsel Jasmine Loo and Najib’s former special officer Datuk Amhari Efendi Nazaruddin – while Najib did not enrich himself.
He contended that there were other prosecution witnesses who testified against Najib and the same could not be said about these witnesses.
He said Najib wielded ultimate power over 1MDB as both prime minister and finance minister, and that evidence showed he directly benefited from the funds while taking no action against fugitive financier Low Taek Jho despite repeated red flags.
“He got to retain power and maintain his position not only in the country but also in the political party he was heading. He received none other than power,” Ahmad Akram said.
He argued that Najib’s defence blaming subordinates and citing alleged donations lacked corroboration, noting that courts at all levels had previously found the Arab donation narrative “unbelievable” in Najib’s SRC International Sdn Bhd case.
He said Najib’s assertion on the purported Arab donation was unsubstantiated and contradicted by evidence in court.
He argued that Najib did not produce any donor, authentic documentation or corroborating witnesses to back up his claim.
Instead of a donation, the pro secution contended that Najib had abused his position as the prime minister and the finance minister to influence decisions and actions within 1MDB, which ultimately resulted in billions of ringgit funnelled into his personal accounts.
“The evidence shows the accused had a direct personal interest in the decisions made by 1MDB. Najib benefitted personally through funds traced to his accounts.
“His attempt to distance himself from operational decisions is belied by contemporaneous evidence of direct intervention,” Ahmad Akram added.
“In this case, the accused’s version does not raise a reasonable doubt and far from rebutting the presumption on a balance of probabilities. Instead, it reinforces the prosecution’s narrative of deliberate abuse of power for personal gratification.
“Accordingly, it is respectfully submitted that an order of con viction should be entered,” he added.
Najib is facing 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 abuse of power offences were allegedly committed at an AmIslamic Bank Bhd branch, Jalan Raja Chulan, Bukit Ceylon between Feb 24, 2011 and Dec 19, 2014.
Meanwhile, the money laundering offences were allegedly committed at the same location between March 22 and Aug 30, 2013.
Najib has been serving his prison sentence since Aug 23, 2022 after being convicted in a separate criminal trial over the misappropriation of RM42mil from SRC International.
The hearing continues before Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah today.
