Madinah Mohamad rubbished an allegation that she met then prime minister Najib Abdul Razak to be appointed as auditor-general in early 2016.
The 12th prosecution witness declared this during today’s 1MDB audit report trial against Najib (above) and the Malaysian sovereign wealth fund’s former CEO Arul Kanda Kandasamy.
Madinah was making the denial when cross-examined by the ex-premier’s lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah during proceedings before the Kuala Lumpur High Court today.
She also denied a question by Shafee that she relied on lobbying by her late husband, then deputy permanent Umno chairperson Rizuan Abd Hamid, to be appointed as then auditor-general. Najib was also then party president.
Back on Feb 22, 2017 when she was appointed, Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Centre) raised concerns over her qualifications as auditor-general.
The non-governmental organisation’s (NGO) executive director Cynthia Gabriel said the position of auditor-general requires specific knowledge and capability, skills and practical experience in auditing, accounting and financial management.
Prior to the appointment, Madinah was secretary-general of the Education Ministry and has a PhD in human resources. She also used to be secretary-general of the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (Mosti).
Madinah and Rizuan came down with Covid-19 last year, and he passed away as a result in May (last year).
‘I told husband not to lobby for me’
When Shafee raised the issue of her qualification today, the witness said that her name was proposed by the then auditor-general Ambrin Buang in 2016.
Madinah said that the recommendation was made during a casual conversation between Ambrin and then chief secretary to the government, Ali Hamsa.
Shafee: You recall that for an appointment like that, the prime minister plays a big role (in advising the Agong for the appointment)?
Madinah: I agree.
Shafee: Did you go to see Najib for your appointment in order to request that you be considered?
Madinah: I have never met Najib Abdul Razak to request for any appointment, whether during my tenure as secretary-general (in the Education Ministry, and other ministries) or when I retired.
Shafee: Are you aware that your late husband lobbied for you to be auditor-general?
Madinah: When this conservation was brought up with my husband, I had told him that under no circumstances should he interfere in any way, especially when I was secretary-general in two ministries (Education and Mosti). He was a businessperson, he was not to attempt to conduct business with these two ministries and not to lobby for anything from the PM, because if I was to be appointed, it has to be on my own merits and he understood that.
However, she conceded to Shafee’s assertion that she could not be sure whether her late husband had ever tried or not tried to lobby on her behalf.
The trial before Zaini continues this afternoon.
Najib was charged with using his position to order amendments to 1MDB’s final audit report before it was presented to the PAC in order to prevent any action against him.
Co-accused Arul Kanda was charged with abetting Najib in making the amendments.
The charges are framed under Section 23 (1) of the MACC Act 2009, which specify a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine of no less than five times the amount of gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
The prosecution contends that a decision to make the amendments was taken during a meeting on Feb 24, 2016, at the office of the then chief secretary to the government Ali Hamsa.
It was alleged this was done to remove or alter certain portions of the 1MDB audit report, including dropping the issue of wanted fugitive Low Taek Jho’s (Jho Low) attendance at the fund’s board meetings.
Another issue that was allegedly dropped from the 1MDB audit report was the two conflicting 2014 financial statements of the sovereign wealth fund.
Besides Ali and Arul Kanda, others who were present at the meeting were Ambrin, former NAD officer Saadatul Nafisah Ahmad Bashir, Najib’s former chief private secretary Shukry Salleh, and the then Attorney-General’s Chambers representative Dzulkifli Ahmad. - Mkini
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