The Malaysian Insight

NAJIB Razak testified today he was able to issue cheques for millions of ringgit without the need to verify his accounts because he “had a sense” of the balance, his SRC International criminal trial heard today.

Under cross-examination by ad hoc prosecutor V. Sithambaram, the former prime minister said his personal funds were managed by his principal private secretary Azlin Alias, while SRC International transactions were carried out by his mandate holder, former CEO Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil.

Sithambaram, a seasoned criminal lawyer, suggested that Najib, in fact, took full charge of his accounts and finances, which the latter denied.

Sithambaram: So, in your case you asked Azlin for the balance, he would have to go check with Nik Faisal?

Najib: Yes.

Najib said he only checked once in a while: “I have a sense there was enough balance”, adding that he never asked for the specific balance.

Sithambaram: You ask for an issuance of a cheque. Don’t you find it strange that the bank doesn’t tell you the balance? You have a sense that you have the money and not precisely how much money?

I am putting to you that you knew the money that was coming in and going out. You knew the balance.

Najib: I disagree.

Najib maintained that the money originated from a donation in Saudi Arabia, a claim which Sithambaram disputed, saying the prosecution will prove those funds were exhausted by end of 2014.

Sithambaram: You are managing the country, you are the finance minister and you say you issue cheques with “a sense” (of the balance)?

Najib: There was substantial money in the account.

Sithambaram: Your sense cannot be correct. Now we are here… your case, you state it was Arab funds. But we know the money was used up by September or October (2014).

I am putting it to you that you fully took charge of your finances and your accounts.

Najib: I disagree.

Sithambaram then asked whether Najib knew whether his credit card limit was RM3 million, which the Pekan MP said he was not sure.

Sithambaram: You are a careful man with government funds?

Najib: Yes, I am careful.

Sithambaram: (How about) personal funds?

Najib: I don’t pay too much attention.

Sithambaram: I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but when I read that the police carried out some sort of raid a year ago, you complained that some chocolates were missing from your fridge. You were that precise?

Najib: My daughter complained.

Sithambaram: You gave a press conference on that?

Najib: It was not my chocolate.

Sithambaram: I find it difficult that (being) prime minister and finance minister, (you are) quite clueless (about your) accounts and went about with just a “sense”.

Najib: Even for my personal accounts… I just sign cheques. You can ask my secretary.

Sithambaram: Unfortunately, the person you checked with, Datuk Azlin and Nik Faisal, they’re “no more”.

You have complete knowledge of the credit, debit transactions in your account and you knew the RM42 million was indeed credited into your account.

Najib: I disagree.

Sithambaram: Your evidence of having no knowledge in your account is patently false.

Najib: I disagree.

Najib is on trial for charges linked to RM4 billion in loans issued to SRC International in 2011 and 2012, of which he is accused of receiving RM42 million in 2014 and 2015.

The 66-year-old has maintained that he was under the impression that RM42 million he spent originated from donations from the Saudi Arabian royal family.  

Najib is represented by a team of lawyers led by Muhammad Shafee Abdullah. The prosecution is led by Attorney-General Tommy Thomas.

The trial before judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali will resume on January 6. – December 19, 2019.