KUALA LUMPUR: A former senior Finance Ministry officer told the High Court here that repeated orders came from Datuk Seri Najib Razak (pic) through intermediaries to rush a Federal Government guarantee for SRC International Sdn Bhd’s first RM2bil loan.
Datuk Maliami Hamad testified that time was limited and added that he was under pressure to prepare the papers for a Cabinet meeting on Aug 17, 2011.
He said the orders came from SRC International and from the Treasury secretary-general at the time, Tan Sri Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah, who he knew received instructions from Najib.
“I also received the same order from the late Datuk Azlin Alias, who was Najib’s private secretary,” he said.
The former Finance Ministry loan management, financial market and actuary division secretary said he believed Azlin’s instructions came directly from the Prime Minister.
“The instructions I received were verbal, and they were to ensure that the papers were prepared immediately for the approval of Cabinet on the same week,” he added.
Maliami was the 43rd witness in the corruption trial of Najib, who is accused of misappropriating RM42mil in SRC International funds.
The 65-year-old, said when reading his witness statement that he “handed down” all the instructions and pressure he received from related parties to his subordinates.
“I ordered (deputy secretary) Afidah Azwa Abdul Aziz to ensure the papers were prepared for the consideration and signature of (former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department) Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, so that it could be presented to a Cabinet meeting on the same day, on Aug 15, 2011.
The court had earlier heard testimony from Afidah Azwa, who said she was under pressure and had doubts on the request to expedite the papers.
Maliami said that the completed papers were then submitted to Nor Mohamed, who had signed it on Aug 15, 2011.
The papers were then presented and approved by Cabinet on Aug 17, 2011.
Najib is facing seven charges involving RM42mil in funds belonging to SRC International.
On July 4 last year, Najib claimed trial to a charge of abuse of power and three counts of criminal breach of trust linked to the 1MDB scandal.
He allegedly misappropriated RM42mil in funds belonging to SRC International.
On Aug 8, he appeared in court again for the second time and was charged with three counts of money laundering involving the same RM42mil.
The hearing before Justice Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali continues on Tuesday (July 9).- Star
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