Transcripts of phone calls leading up to then AG Apandi clearing Najib

On January 26, 2016, then-attorney-general Mohammed Apandi Ali announced the shocking news that he had cleared then-prime minister Najib Abdul Razak of any wrongdoing in the 1MDB and SRC International cases.

The announcement caused an uproar, with claims that Apandi was covering up for Najib. On the same day as the press conference, Apandi was appointed to Tabung Haji's board of directors.

Apandi's announcement came six months after the shock dismissal of his predecessor Gani Patail and the removal of Muhyiddin Yassin as deputy prime minister, both on July 28, 2015.

Gani had been involved in the task force probing 1MDB and Muhyiddin had been publically questioning the manner in which the fund was being handled.

However, phone recordings sent anonymously to the MACC early this month, have shed new light on the days leading up to Apandi's press conference.

When presenting the recordings to the media yesterday, MACC chief Latheefa Koya said that forensic analysis showed that the recordings are genuine, and that they reveal elements of abuse of power, criminal conspiracy, and obstruction of justice.

Among the voices heard in the recordings, are that of Najib, his wife Rosmah Mansor, former MACC chief Dzulkifli Ahmad who was with the Attorney-General's Chambers at the time of the calls, and former Tabung Haji chairperson Azeez Abdul Rahim.

Malaysiakini has reproduced the transcripts of the calls, in which the Malay parts have been translated.

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Jan 5, 2016, 11.56PM - Dzulkifli Ahmad calls Rosmah Mansor and Najib Abdul Razak

Dzulkifli: Hello Datin Seri

Rosmah: Ya, ya, ya, Hi.

Dzulkifli: Sorry for disturbing at night.

Rosmah: Oh it's ok, (inaudible) I'm watching golf.

Dzulkifli: (Laugh)

Rosmah: What is it Dzul?

Dzulkifli: So... just now I would like to have met Datuk Seri (Najib), because we've received the investigation papers (inaudible) we've received it, so I want to update... the situation, it's not very good.

Rosmah: How so?

Dzulkifli: It’s not good lah, Datin Seri.

Rosmah: Those three people's names are on it?

Dzulkifli: Three people, who?

Rosmah: There's three people's names mentioned?

Dzulklfli: (inaudible) three people…

Rosmah: The three people they want, is that it?

Dzulkifli: Datuk (inaudible)

Rosmah: Yes?

Dzulkifli: It's Datuk Seri's name

Rosmah: Datuk's name?

Dzulkifli: Mmhmm

Rosmah: How can that be?

Dzulkifli: That's why I want to meet if possible.

Rosmah: Hang on, hang on

Najib: Hello?

Dzulkifli: Hello Datuk Seri, Assalamualaikum

Najib: Waalaikumsalam.

Dzulkifli: The AG has received the thing Datuk Seri. Yesterday we received the IP. The recommendations, it's not very good lah Datuk Seri. Not very good.

Najib: How so? They're saying something else?

Dzulkifli: (laughs) The IP is with me you know, Datuk Seri.

Najib: How does it involve me?

Dzulkifli: (Laugh) When I saw that thing, I felt like crying.

Najib: Because I'm not involved at all.

Dzulkifli: MashaAllah. I don't know Datuk Seri. It's very clear in there Datuk Seri. I, myself have the IP with me. I have been ordered by the attorney-general to help him.

Najib: How can (former MACC chief) Abu Kassim (Mohamed) say one thing and do another?

Dzulkifli: MashaAllah. How were you informed Datuk Seri?

Najib: I was informed that there was nothing.

Dzulkifli: Ya Allah. (inaudible) I called Datuk Ghazali to ask for an audience with Datuk Seri, because when I saw it, I felt like crying Datuk Seri, they're willing to go to that extent.

Najib: How can I (inaudible) if this gets out we'll be in a tough spot.

Dzulkifli: That's what I said (inaudible) I wanted to update Datuk Seri (inaudible) seek an audience with Datuk Seri.

Najib: I'm meeting the AG on Thursday.

Dzulkifli: Ok lah, maybe he will update Datuk Seri. But this thing is already with me. So (inaudible) this morning I took the IP with me to my place.

But that doesn't matter. Tan Sri AG is not a problem Datuk Seri. He is very good, we are on the same page, that is no problem, just that I want to update Datuk Seri about what is being recommended by the MACC themselves.

Najib: That is what's not right. If they make recommendations, and it gets out, then it'll not be good.

Dzulkifli: Correct Datuk Seri. That is what we are really worried about. That is why I feel that Datuk Seri needs to know this.

On the legal side we can handle it. Tan Sri Apandi can handle it, I can handle it. That is no problem Datuk Seri, but besides the legal (aspect), I never expected the extent of its seriousness.

Najib: I don't play like this. (Mana saya main macam ni)

Dzulkifli: Wallahualam (God knows) Datuk Seri. I think Datuk Seri, sorry to say, Datuk Seri has been played.

Najib: Why did I get played like this.

Dzulkifli: Terrible, Datuk Seri.

Najib: Yes.

Dzulkifli: Hmmm. It’s better for me to (inaudible) or if Datuk Seri wants to wait to meet Tan Sri Apandi on Thursday, that's not a problem.

Najib: Maybe I… er... Apandi has seen it?

Dzulkifli: Apandi just took a glance yesterday, just that part.

Najib: Was he also shocked?

Dzulkifli: He was shocked, really shocked. Yesterday he already (inaudible) He’s not very happy. Now we are planning how to do it.

There's no issue. We can support legal (matters), but as Datuk Seri said, it is as though (former attorney-general) Gani (Patail) made a right decision, Datuk Seri.

Najib: It can't be like that. How can Abu Kassim do this?

Dzulkifli: Right. I have something else. Just now the police met me too, about 1MDB. The IO (investigating officer) for 1MDB met me, briefed me about the case. (I said) there is no more issue with 1MDB now and the police was ok with me too.

What I want to inform (inaudible) is that before this happened- when I heard it I was shocked Datuk Seri.

Turns out, it's not only Gani Patail alone Datuk Seri. This is some he (the IO) himself heard. If Datuk Seri wants I can bring him to meet Datuk Seri and you can hear it straight. He was at the meeting.

When you hear it, it's consistent with the decisions now Datuk Seri.

Najib: I don't know (inaudible) the political implications are (inaudible)

Dzulkifli: (inaudible) I too (inaudible) have a headache now.. Allahuakbar.

Najib: If the AG (inaudible) they will release it (inaudible) leak the report.

Dzulkifli: That is what we don't... there's a lot of things I want to explain to Datuk Seri. What's weird about this case... If Datuk Seri looks at the press release by (MACC's) Shukri (Abdull) recently, the investigation paper was presented to a special panel. We feel it's odd, when was the special panel established?

Najib: That's the thing.

Dzulkifli: This special panel consists of five people. Why is there a need for a special panel (to receive the IP) before it is sent to the Attorney-General's Chambers?

So that thing (inaudible) is represented by five people in the special panel, who are made up of experts. So it's as though it says the special panel agrees with the MACC's views.

And what's weird is that only this one case- there's two cases Datuk Seri - only this one case was tabled to the special panel, and the other wasn't.

Najib: This truly is meant to damage.

Dzulkifli: It looks that way Datuk Seri.

Najib: They want to create a situation where politically this is too difficult for us.

Dzulkifli: That's how it looks Datuk Seri. Which is very bad, I see that it is very bad, very bad. If you look, even yesterday (inaudible) mashaAllah, I wanted to cry yesterday.

How can they, they can come with this, (sic) that they're willing to do this, I said.

Najib: They want to make it a controversy.

Dzulkifli: Exactly. We can handle it Datuk Seri. the problem (inaudible) when the decision is not in line (inaudible) we don't know whether they will leak it or not.

Many are in the know. The special panel has five people, plus the IO and investigating officers I think more than 10, maybe 20. How do we cover this Datuk Seri?

This is quite surprising.

Najib: (inaudible)

Dzulkifli: (inaudible)

Najib: Nak jadi gula-gula ke ni? (How do we sweeten this?)

Dzulkifli: (inaudible) Just now the police IO met me and informed that there was a meeting at Tan Sri Gani's house, the IO was there too.

And Abu Kassim told the AG (Gani), he said 'Tan Sri just make the charges, you are about to retire. You will be remembered by the people after this'. These are the words said by Abu Kassim to Gani Patail

(inaudible) before Gani Patail was sacked (inaudible) all this while we said Gani was bad, he is one, but how come it went from Abu Kassim to Tan Sri Gani, as though he instigated it. Now we see, Abu Kassim can't wash his hands, Datuk Seri, that he is not involved in this decision.

What's strange is that, never in MACC's history - (MACC stops playing the recording).

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Jan 17, 2016 12.20PM - Dzulkifli Ahmad calls Azeez Abdul Rahim
Dzulkifli: Datuk Seri, how are you?

Azeez: Ok Datuk, everything ok Datuk?

Dzulkifli: Are you busy Datuk Seri?

Azeez: No. no. no. Anytime for you, no problem.

Dzulkifli: Just to inform you, last Thursday I prepared one, one is complete, and I just finished the second one. So it's all complete. Tomorrow we can brief Tan Sri AG lah. We have fixed the whole morning for us to brief. The writeup for both is ready.

Azeez: Ok, good.

Dzulkifli: It's all under control lah.

Azeez: That's it (inaudible) tomorrow it'll be sent back?

Dzulkifli: Tomorrow is to meet Tan Sri, I don't know what he wants to do, but nevermind I'll update Datuk Seri.

Azeez: (inaudible) send it back to that side ask them to (inaudible). Thank you sir, I know you are doing very well.

Dzulkifli: (inaudible) I don't know what Tan Sri said to Datuk Seri, (is everything) ok?

Azeez: Ok, he said tomorrow after the meeting he will push it back to them, ask for comment within a week, after that (inaudible)

Dzulkifli: No weekends for me these two weeks.

Azeez: Thank you brother, thank you brother. Don’t worry, don’t worry

Dzulkifli: (laughs)

Azeez: It's all recorded, all the (inaudible) info.

Dzulkifli: (inaudible) update Datuk Seri.

Azeez: Thank you. Take care ya. Call if there's anything.

Dzulkifli: Ok, I'll update you if there's anything. Ok Datuk

Azeez: Assalamualaikum

Dzulkifli: Thank you Datuk Seri.

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Jan 22, 2016 12.20PM - Dzulkifli Ahmad calls Azeez Abdul Rahim

Azeez: How is it, good or bad?

Dzulkifli: It's…(inaudible)

Azeez: There are no findings?

Dzulkifli: They maintained it Datuk Seri. We sent it back because we posed certain questions to them, when we pose certain questions to them, (it's) with the view that they take that opportunity to review it. But no, they didn't review. They maintained it.

Azeez: I see.

Dzulkifli: They maintained and are recommending (action) against two more people.

Azeez: Just two?

Dzulkifli: Huh?

Azeez: Just two?

Dzulkifli: No, that's maintained.

Azeez: They maintained, and added two more?

Dzulkifli: Added two more people, four people (in total).

Azeez: Four people, (Putrajaya Perdana managing director) Rosman (Abdullah), Shamsul…

Dzulkifli: Not Rosman. Shamsul and Nik, and Suboh, and Shamsul, and maybe Aziz.

Azeez: Which Aziz?

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Dzulkifli: Aziz something something, I don't remember which Aziz..

Azeez: Oh so there's an Aziz?

Dzulkifli: There's an Aziz, not Azeez Rahim lah (laugh)

Azeez: (laugh) Aziz, Shamsul, Subihi (sic), Nik

Dzulkifli: Nik, and Suboh.

Azeez: Ok la Rosman isn't (mentioned) Alhamdulillah it has nothing to do with Tabung Haji

Dzulkifli: No it doesn't.

Azeez: (inaudible) Confirmed, yes?

Dzulkifli: Confirmed

Azeez: You've read this many times?

Dzulkifli: I've read it, we prepared it. We want to finalise it Monday for me to release.

Azeez: It's all on the road to Mexico?

Dzulkifli: Mmm

Azeez: All?

Dzulkifli: All

Azeez: Tapau (pack up) all of it (inaudible)

Dzulkifli: No, no, no what Tan Sri, what was discussed with Tan Sri, what we are going to do is on Tuesday we will settle number one first.

Azeez: Ok.

Dzulkifli: That one (inaudible) yes it's like that, more or less. But we will settle that one first, once and for all lah

Azeez: This part, they're going for (inaudible)

Dzulkifli: Which one?

Azeez: (Inaudible) that we want to (inaudible)

Dzulkifli: (inaudible)

Azeez: Your boss is calling me, I’ll call you back later.

Dzulkifli: Ok ok, no worries.

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One month after Apandi's press conference on Jan 26, Najib's private secretary Shukry Mohd Salleh calls Dzulkifli, to get what sounds like documents about the flow of funds into the former prime minister's accounts.

Feb 26, 2016, 11.56AM - Shukry Mohd Salleh calls Dzulkifli Ahmad

Shukry: Boss, PM just (inaudible) this fund (inaudible) the hardcopy that was given to PM (inaudible) PM wants a complete set of funds that went into this account (inaudible)

Dzulkifli: Hmmm complete set eh? About all that entered his accounts?

Shukry: Yes. The PM wants this.

Dzulkifli: It's not with me, but the MACC, but it's ok they're our friends, don't worry (inaudible)

Shukry: Ah boss, please try boss (inaudible)

Dzulkifli: (inaudible) Saudi (inaudible)

Shukry: (inaudible) this evening he isn't at the office, he will be at PWTC. It's best if boss delivers to his home.

Dzulkifli: (inaudible) we will discuss at (inaudible)

Shukry (inaudible) Boss are you from Penang?

Dzulkifli: Yes, Penang

Shukry: I (inaudible) Nasi kandar, Line Clear Jelutong all that.

Dzulkifli: (Laugh)

TO FOLLOW: Transcript of calls made after US DOJ bombshell - Mkini