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KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak maintains that the RM42mil deposited into his personal bank account was a donation from a Saudi monarch, says his lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.
At a press conference here on Friday (Jan 23), Shafee clarified reports published the day before that Najib knew the money deposited into his bank account was not from Saudi Arabia.
"He (Najib) answered (yesterday, Thursday Jan 22) based on the court’s decision (regarding the earlier criminal proceedings), but based on his own knowledge, he continues to believe that all the money he received – not just the RM42mil – came from Saudi Arabia.
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"He never said that he had abandoned this belief,” Shafee added after proceedings in the RM42mil civil suit filed by SRC International Sdn Bhd and its subsidiary, Gandingan Mentari Sdn Bhd, against Najib.
Earlier, during Friday's proceedings in the High Court, former prime minister Najib testified during re-examination by Shafee that he had never obstructed investigations of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and SRC International cases.
Shafee: Now, it is important in this context to consider how the issues involving both 1MDB and SRC became public, or rather, matters of public concern.
You remained as prime minister for the next three years until May 9, 2018. Is that correct? During the period after these matters became public, were there investigations pertaining to them?
Najib: Yes.
Shafee: During that period, did you at any time stop or obstruct those investigations?
Najib: No.
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The 2021 civil suit seeks a declaration that Najib is liable for the RM42mil, as well as damages for knowing receipt, dishonest assistance, misfeasance in public office, and abuse of power.
The hearing before Justice Datuk Raja Ahmad Mohzanuddin Shah Raja Mohzan will continue on Feb 9.
– Bernama
