Kuala Lumpur – Datuk Seri Najib Razak says the former 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) chief executive was “lucky” to escape prosecution, while the former prime minister ended up in the dock.
In his 525-page witness statement before the High Court yesterday, Najib pointed the finger at Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi, claiming He was in cahoots with fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, and was responsible for the incident.
“I am the defendant. Isn’t he lucky? Because if I were not the former prime minister and finance minister, I really believe that the position he occupies will not be the witness box, but the defendant’s box,” Najib said.
Prosecution witness Shahrol testified that he carried out the action plan provided by Jho Low because he believed the instructions had Najib’s approval and blessing.
He served as chief executive during 1MDB’s involvement in a US$1 billion investment in a joint venture with PetroSaudi International (PSI) Ltd.
The court heard that the $1 billion had been transferred to two different shell companies belonging to Jho Low and one of his partners.
“As for Datuk Shahrul’s convenient excuse that he facilitated the remittance of US$1 billion because he allegedly believed the instructions were issued by me, one might admire the audacity of this claim if it were not so patently absurd, as It is not only contemporaneous with written evidence.
“But having said that, it seems to me that the evidence could easily be ignored,” Najib said.
Najib said Shahrul’s “unbelievable” explanation for the $1 billion remittance was only politically motivated against him.
Najib said holding Shahroo accountable for the remittances would expose the fragility of his narrative and damage his credibility.
“Instead, he was allowed to hide behind this excuse and essentially get away with $1 billion in damages so that he could be painted as a flawless, completely credible witness, perhaps even a model witness for abuse of power. The gold standard.
He also rejected prosecutors’ claims that he abused his position to obtain $20 million in kickbacks.
The former prime minister said prosecutors accused Najib of taking steps, including allegedly directing the 1MDB board to pass a resolution to form a joint venture with PSI, to obtain a payment of US$9,999,977 on February 24, 2011, and on June 14 of the same year. $9,999,977.
“However, the prosecution claims that my holding the two most powerful positions of head of government and head of expenditure, as prime minister and finance minister, would jeopardize my political career and the reputation I have built. In order to win twice It has been more than 40 years since the crime was committed for US$9,999,977.
“This is their desperate claim and only a fool would believe it,” he said.
Najib faces four counts of using his position to solicit RM2.28 billion from 1MDB funds, and 21 counts of money laundering involving the same amount.
The hearing continues today before Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah.
