The criminal trial of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak involving the alleged misappropriation of funds from SRC International Sdn Bhd enters its 29th day today at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysiakini brings you live reports of the proceedings.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- I was under duress to speed up SRC's RM2b loan process - witness
I was under duress to speed up SRC's RM2b loan process - witness
9.55am - Finance Ministry Strategic Investment Division deputy secretary Afidah Azwa Abdul Aziz testifies that she was put under duress by her superior in 2011 in order to speed up the processing of SRC International's application for government guarantee in the RM2 billion loan from Retirement Fund Incorporated (KWAP) to the company in 2011.
The 41st witness says this during cross-examination by lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.
She is explaining to Shafee (below) what she meant by "digesa" by her then superior Maliami Ahmad to speed up the application.
Shafee: I suggest that this process by Maliami of hurrying up, is not an issue of "digesa-gesa", only merely to speed up the process (percepat proses). You were not "digesa".
Afidah: I was digesa, I was under duress.
Shafee: It was Maliami who put you under duress?
Afidah: Yes.
Shafee: Is he still your superior?
Afidah: Not anymore.
Shafee: Thus, now it is easier for you to explain.
She also says that she did not record any complaint she had made over the issue.
9.27am: Buzzer in the courtroom rings. Najib Abdul Razak enters the dock as proceedings begin.
9.24am: Najib Abdul Razak's lead counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah enters courtroom and joins the rest of the defence team.
9am: Accused Najib Abdul Razak enters the courtroom and takes a seat at the front row of the public gallery to await the proceedings.
Also in court are DPP V Sithambaram and other members of the prosecution team as well as Najib's defence team as they wait for trial to start.
8.52am: The 29th day of Najib Abdul Razak's RM42 million SRC International trial may see two witnesses take the stand – Finance Ministry Strategic Investment Division deputy secretary Afidah Azwa Abdul Aziz, and former cabinet deputy secretary-general Mazidah Abdul Majid.
When proceedings resume before Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali today, the former premier's defence team may continue its cross-examination of 41st witness Afidah, who delivered two bombshells over SRC International's debt status yesterday.
Firstly, she told the court that SRC International, which was fully-owned by the Minister of Finance Inc, not only failed to service its RM4 billion in loans from Retirement Fund Inc (KWAP) but also could not meet the interest payments.
This flew in the face of previous media reports quoting KWAP reiterating that SRC International had been servicing its debts since 2016.
Secondly, Afidah revealed that the federal government had loaned RM642 million to SRC International between 2015 and 2017 for the company to service said interest payments and thus avoid defaulting.
This would have further burdened the government as it was the guarantor for the RM4 billion loan sum.
The defence may also resume its cross-examination of 40th witness Mazidah. Her cross-examination was cut short yesterday, as she had yet to produce a few documents related to cabinet meetings chaired by Najib.
Two days ago, Mazidah testified that cabinet meetings in August 2011 and February 2012 passed a resolution for the government to guarantee the two loans from KWAP to SRC International.
- Mkini
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