Kuala Lumpur – The High Court heard it was an informal afternoon tea on a yacht and not a meeting to plot to embezzle billions of dollars from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
Datuk Seri Najib Razak on the stand shared details of his private family vacation in the South of France in 2009, when he and his family were invited by Saudi Arabia’s Prince Turki to enjoy afternoon tea aboard the RM Elegance.
The former prime minister said he was already on vacation with his family in the south of France when his special officer sent the invitation through Low Taek Jho.
Najib said he was joined by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansour, children Noor Ashman Razak, Nuryana Najwa and stepson Riza Aziz Vacation.
“In addition to my family, we were also joined by my friend Tan Sri Bustari Yusuf and his children.
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“You could tell immediately from the members of my team that this was meant to be a personal holiday,” he said in a witness statement on Tuesday (December 3).
As Najib and his family boarded the yacht, they were greeted by Prince Turki and Saudi Arabian Oil executive Tariq Obeid.
“My meeting with Prince Turki, Tariq Obaid and Jho Low during the afternoon tea was entirely informal and nothing like what was suggested.
“In fact, this is the first time I have met Prince Turki and Tariq Obaid. The idea that we might be discussing some sinister plan is not only ridiculous but completely unfounded,” Naguib said.
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Najib said he would not have allowed photos of them together if there was a hidden agenda or nefarious intentions.
“For anyone to suggest that we were plotting anything in the presence of my family and friends is ridiculous and quite unnatural,” he added.
Najib said it was misleading and unfair to speculate and draw adverse inferences about individuals who did not attend the meeting in an attempt to serve the prosecution’s narrative about him.
Najib faces four counts of using his position to solicit RM2.28 billion from 1MDB funds, as well as 21 counts of money laundering involving the same amount.
Also read: 1MDB trial: RM60.6 million in my bank account is donation from late Saudi king, says Najib
The charges were brought under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 and are punishable under Section 24(1) of the Act.
If convicted at the end of the defense case, Najib faces up to 20 years in prison and five times the gratuity or a fine of RM10,000, whichever is higher.
The hearing will continue tomorrow before Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah.
