The Malaysian Insight

NAJIB Razak was shown an original document with his signature in court today but said he could not confirm if the signature belonged to him.

The former prime minister, on trial for corruption related to loans issued to SRC International, maintained that his signature could only be verified by a handwriting expert.

Najib was being cross-examined on whether he signed four documents, including minutes of the Minister of Finance Inc (MoF Inc) shareholders’ meeting related to SRC International.

Ad hoc prosecutor V. Sithambaram pressed the prosecution’s case that the signatures were, in fact, genuine and that the Pekan MP was fully aware and in control of SRC International operations. 

During cross-examination, Najib was then shown an original document tendered as evidence, with which the defence used to compare alleged forgeries. 

Sithambaram: I put it to you that your denial of your signature is clearly an afterthought?

Najib: I disagree.

Sithambaram: Since P530(3), it is your case that it is an original, did you sign it? I will show you the document.

Najib: I need this to be verified. This is operations matter.

Sithambaram: I am not asking about operations.

Najib: I need to verify.

Sithambaram: Even the original is shown to you, you look at the signature.

Najib: I am not sure. I need the expert to confirm.

Sithambaram: Can you confirm that this is your signature, this is the original?

Najib: I cannot confirm but it looks like my signature.

Sithambaram: The summary is the photocopy you cannot confirm and the original shown to you, you also cannot confirm, that’s your evidence?

Najib: Yes.

Earlier, Sithambaram asked whether a police report was lodged over the alleged forgeries, which Najib said he discovered only during the course of the trial. The Pekan MP said no report was made.

Sithambaram: I put it to you that because you did not lodge a police report and take issue with the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission), those signatures are genuine.

Najib: I disagree.

Sithambaram: Do you agree that since you claim you already knew these were forgeries, you could have reported it to the prosecution?

Najib: Possible.

Sithambaram: When did you appoint your expert?

Najib: I asked my lawyer to handle, you can ask them.

Sithambaram: After the defence was called?

Najib: It was earlier, I can’t remember when, but we had extensive discussions.

Sithambaram: During the prosecution case or defence case?

Najib: During the prosecution case, we have already discussed it.

The defence will be applying on January 20 for the high court to call an Australian handwriting expert.

Najib is seeking for 35 documents previously tendered and marked as exhibits to be made available for examination by the expert.

Najib, who entered his defence in the SRC International trial on December 3, said his signature on at least 15 documents, including banking transactions and forms, were forged.

He testified in December that he never lodged a police report on the forged signatures because he wanted to first obtain affirmation from a handwriting expert. 

He also said he never raised the matter when MACC showed him the documents containing his signatures during questioning last year because he did not have the “originals” to compare them with. 

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. – January 7, 2020.