The criminal trial of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak involving the alleged misappropriation of funds from SRC International Sdn Bhd enters its 48th day today at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysiakini brings you live reports of the proceedings.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Nik Faisal's signature not enough to reverse transfers of RM32m
- 'Jho Low said Najib didn't want to close his AmBank accounts'
- Jho Low asked witness to undo RM27m transfer into Najib's account
- Bid to strike out application for Najib to apologise to be heard Aug 9
Nik Faisal's signature not enough to reverse transfers of RM32m
3.15pm - The court hears that 1MDB-linked businessperson Low Taek Jho had difficulty reversing a total of RM32 million in transfers credited into the bank accounts of former premier Najib Abdul Razak in 2014.
Former AmBank relationship manager Joanna Yu reveals that the problem stemmed from the insufficiency of Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil's mandate to issue such instructions to AmBank.
Low had wanted AmBank to reverse a transfer of RM27 million from Permai Binaraya Sdn Bhd into Najib's acocunt ending 880, and another RM5 million from Putra Perdana Construction into his account ending 906.
Although Nik Faisal was mandated to operate Najib's three AmBank accounts, he was only authorised to instruct transfers between said accounts, but not to transfer any funds out.
Because of this limitation, Low ordered Yu to prepare a letter of instruction for Najib to sign.
The witness says that Low wanted the remittance to take effect before the end of 2014. As such, he said this letter of instruction signed by Najib would first be sent to AmBank, followed by the original copy.
'Jho Low said Najib didn't want to close his AmBank accounts'
2.55pm - 1MDB-linked businessperson Low Taek Jho told witness Joanna Yu in December 2014 that former premier Najib Abdul Razak did not want to close his accounts with AmBank.
Under cross-examination by defence lawyer Harvinderjit Singh, Yu confirms that the conversation with Low took place via a BlackBerry Messenger chat on Dec 20 that year.
Yu, a former AmBank customer relationship manager, said that Low instructed her to prepare an instruction letter for AmBank the following day to reverse RM27 million and RM5 million credited into Najib's 880 and 906 accounts.
Low also told her to prepare the draft of the letter so that former SRC International CEO Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil could sign and send it to the bank.
Nik Faisal was person mandated to operate Najib's AmBank accounts.
Jho Low asked witness to undo RM27m transfer into Najib's account
2.30pm - Former AmBank customer relationship manager Joanna Yu testifies that between Aug 21 and Sept 2, 2014, Low Taek Jho told her to reverse a transfer of RM27 million into Najib Abdul Razak's AmBank account ending in 880.
Yu agrees with defence lawyer Harvinderjit Singh that the 1MDB-linked fugitive told her this during that period.
She also agrees that this is in reference to the RM27 million transfer from Putra Perdana Construction to Permai Binaraya and then to Najib's account.
Bid to strike out application for Najib to apologise to be heard on Friday
2.24pm - Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali sets Aug 9 to hear an application to strike out the bid to have Najib Abdul Razak apologise for two Facebook posts.
Nazlan fixes the date as next Monday is Hari Raya Aidiladha, a public holiday.
Both Attorney-General Tommy Thomas and lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah raise no objection to the hearing date.
The prosecution's application is in relation to two of Najib's Facebook posts deemed sub judice to the ongoing trial.
2.23pm - Proceedings begin.
2.08pm - The accused, Najib Abdul Razak, enters the dock to await the beginning of proceedings.
Also seen in court are Attorney-General Tommy Thomas and his team of deputy public prosecutors, as well as lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, and members of the defence.
The 54th witness, former AmBank customer relationship manager Joanna Yu, is seen in the witness stand.
The 48th day of Najib Abdul Razak's RM42 million SRC International trial will begin at 2pm today rather than the customary 9am.
Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali set this schedule to allow prosecutors and defence lawyers to attend a Court of Appeal hearing regarding their appeal to postpone another trial involving the former premier.
The trial concerns the alleged misappropriation of RM2.28 billion from state fund 1MDB, and is set to be heard before High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah on Aug 19.
With less than two weeks to go before Najib's 1MDB trial begins, both prosecutors and defence lawyers were worried about a clash with the present hearing.
54th prosecution witness and former AmBank relationship manager Joanna Yu is set to take the stand again this afternoon for cross-examination, and further witnesses may be called.
As such, there are concerns over whether the prosecution stage of the present trial will be completed by Aug 19.
It was reported earlier today that the Court of Appeal had rejected the bid to postponethe 1MDB trial.
- Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.