NAJIB SRC TRIAL | The prosecution in Najib Abdul Razal SRC International corruption trial today grilled the former prime minister over why his defence has yet to get the Saudi royal family to vouch that the billions of ringgit he received into his bank accounts were "donations" as he has claimed.
Deputy public prosecutor V Sithambaram, cross-examining Najib during the graft trial, asked why the defence had not produced any witnesses from the Saudi royal family.
Najib said it was "difficult" to do so but maintained that the money he received was a donation from the Saudi royal family.
This is after Sithambaram suggested to Najib that the Saudi donation narrative was a cover-up.
Sithambaram: I put to you, from day one, when monies from 2011 to 2014, you knew as a fact these monies never came from the (Saudi) royal family.
Najib: I disagree. Because some of the monies directly came from the Saudi ministry of finance.
Sithambaram: Unfortunately, no member of the Saudi royal family would come to court and confirm this, correct, sir?
Najib: We have not, well, it is difficult to have them come to court.
Sithambaram: I also say it's also convenient for you not to call them to court to maintain your story.
Najib: I disagree.
Sithambaram had also cornered Najib on his ability to identify his own signature.
This after Najib had confirmed signing banking documents instructing that US$620 million be purportedly "returned" to the Saudi royal family despite him previously stating that he had doubts over whether he signed those documents.
Sithambaram: Because (it is a) photocopy, you contended that you cannot confirm your signature, and today you confirm.
Najib: Ya. it depends on the content.
Sithambaram: What content, sir?
Najib: Because I remember this was my instruction.
Najib is standing trial on seven charges of money-laundering, criminal breach of trust and abuse of power involving RM42 million in funds from SRC International.
He is accused of getting the loans approved for SRC International from the Retirement Fund Incorporated (KWAP) in exchange for kickbacks.
He is also facing a separate set of 25 charges over money-laundering and abuse of power involving RM2.28 billion in 1MDB funds.
Najib had generally referred to all the funds he received as a "donation" from the Saudi royal family and claimed he had no knowledge that they had originated from Malaysian state-owned companies.
Today's proceeding, specific to SRC International Sdn Bhd, is being presided over by Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.