The criminal trial of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak involving the alleged misappropriation of funds from SRC International Sdn Bhd enters its 12th day today at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysiakini brings you live reports of the proceedings.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- 'I was under pressure to expedite SRC loan'
- 'KWAP only received a quarter of documents requested from SRC'
- Witness explains why RM4b loaned to SRC, not RM3.95b
- 'RM4b to SRC is the largest KWAP loan I have ever seen'
- 'Najib signed guarantee letter for additional RM2b'
- 'Najib decided on RM2b loan for SRC'
- Witness says SRC requested an additional RM2b
- Ex-PM arrives in court
'I was under pressure to expedite SRC loan'
10.34am - "I was asked by management to expedite the application," says witness Amirul Imran Ahmat, adding that he was under pressure to prepare investment papers for the KWAP board on the loans to SRC International.
"There were a few meetings within a short span of time. Usually, if I miss one meeting, I can go for the next one. But here, I have to rush to every meeting.
"There was a lot of pressure to expedite the whole matter," he tells the court.
Judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali allows for the witness to be called back at a later date for cross-examination by defence counsel Harvinderjit Singh (photo).
The judge allows the application by Najib Abdul Razak's lead counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah to postpone the cross-examination, as Harvinderjit is absent from today's proceedings due to food poisoning.
The prosecution raises no objection.
'KWAP only received a quarter of documents requested from SRC'
10.32am - Witness Amirul Imran Ahmat tells the court that he only received about a quarter of the documents requested from SRC International when preparing the approval for its loan applications.
Amirul says under examination from deputy public prosecutor Ishak Mohd Yusoff that he had to rely on whatever he received from SRC International to prepare the investment papers to be presented to KWAP's investment panel.
Ishak: Looking at the email exchanges as per your witness statement, you applied for a lot of information (from SRC International). Did you receive them?
Amirul: I receive some, not all.
Ishak: In percentage, how much did you receive in estimation?
Amirul: 25 percent.
Ishak: So you had to act based on this 25 percent?
Amirul: Yes.
Witness explains why RM4b loaned to SRC, not RM3.95b
10.20am - KWAP loaned SRC International RM4 billion instead of the RM3.95 billion originally sought because of the two separate applications, testifies witness Amirul Imran Ahmat.
Under examination by deputy public prosecutor Ishak Mohd Yusoff, Amirul says that KWAP first approved RM2 billion from the initial request for RM3.95 billion.
KWAP then agreed to SRC International's second application for RM2 billion, he adds, bringing the total to RM4 billion.
'RM4b to SRC is the largest KWAP loan I have ever seen'
10.12am - Witness Amirul Imran Ahmat (photo) tells the court that the RM4 billion loan given out by KWAP to SRC International is the biggest he has ever seen throughout his service.
Amirul then wraps up reading from his witness statement.
'Najib signed guarantee letter for additional RM2b'
10am - Najib Abdul Razak signed the government guarantee letter for SRC International's second loan of RM2 billion from KWAP, according to witness Amirul Imran Ahmat.
Amirul testifies that Najib signed the letter in his capacity as then-prime minister and finance minister.
The loan agreement document, he says, was signed between then-KWAP CEO Azian Mohd Noh and SRC International director Suboh Md Yassin.
9.34am - Amirul says that on March 22, 2012, he received an email from SRC International director Nik Faisal Ariff Nik Othman Ariff Kamil to the KWAP CEO stating that Najib had made a decision on the additional RM2 billion loan.
The witness testifies that he was ordered by then-superior Ahmad Norhisham Hassan to prepare a 'surat pekeliling' (circular) on the loan.
"It is to be one lump sum, based on discussion with the prime minister," he says.
Amirul adds that Najib was the chairperson of 1MDB's board of advisers, in relation to the panel investment paper he prepared for the loan.
Witness says SRC sought additional RM2b
9.16am - Witness Amirul Imran Ahmat testifies that on Feb 14, 2012, he received an email from former 1MDB finance director Terence Geh requesting approval to obtain further financing of RM2 billion, which was to be secured by a government guarantee.
Under examination by deputy public prosecutor Ishak Mohd Yusoff, the witness says that on March 14, 2012, he received the resolution from SRC International's board of directors for the additional RM2 billion loan.
Ex-PM arrives in court
9.07am - Najib enters the dock as judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali makes his way into the courtroom for the examination of 29th witness Amirul Imran Ahmat (photo).
9am - Wearing a blue suit, Najib Abdul Razak enters the courtroom and takes a seat at the front row of the public gallery.
His lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah is also seen entering with other members of the defence team.
Attorney-General Tommy Thomas is also seen taking his seat and conferring with other members of the prosecution team, including deputy public prosecutor V Sithambaram.
The trial of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, involving the alleged misappropriation of funds from SRC International Sdn Bhd, enters its 13th day at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
The trial, which is being presided over by judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali, is set to kick off at 9am.
The prosecution will continue its examination of 29th witness Amirul Imran Ahmat, the former assistant vice-president of Retirement Fund Inc's (KWAP) fixed income department.
Last Friday, Amirul testified that KWAP had taken unusual steps in approving the SRC International's loan applications for funds totalling RM4 billion.
He said that KWAP management had considered SRC International's loan applications without any supporting documents.
The application was received through a letter dated June 3, 2011, which was signed by SRC International director Nik Faisal Ariff Nik Othman Ariff Kamil.
Amirul told the court that the letter also contained a handwritten and signed note by Najib, which stated that he “agreed with KWAP giving the loan to SRC.”
The witness said he had then sent a request to Nik Faisal to provide the necessary documentation, including 1MDB's audited accounts, company profile, and the latest management accounts.
Amirul said a series of emails then ensued between him and his then-superior Ahmad Norhisham Hassan (now deceased), as well as Nik Faisal and his assistant Noor Azlina over further requests for more documents on SRC International and 1MDB.
The documents, however, were never delivered despite the promises made by Noor Azlina and Nik Faisal.
The court had previously heard that a total RM4 billion was transferred from KWAP’s account to SRC International’s Ambank accounts between August 2011 and March 2012.
-Mkini
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