Najib gave conflicting answers over source of funds, court told
KUALA LUMPUR : A lawyer for SRC International Sdn Bhd told the High Court today that former prime minister Najib Razak gave conflicting answers when confronted about the source of money that entered into his accounts more than 10 years ago.
Lead counsel Lim Chee Wee said Najib had, in his testimony under oath, given various versions of the source of funds that entered his accounts when cross-examined.
Submitting at the close of the SRC International trial, Lim said Najib had, in an affidavit affirmed in 2015, claimed that a 'personal donation' of US$700 million and another sum of RM42 million originating from SRC International had been channelled into his account by Gandingan Mentari Sdn Bhd and Ihsan Perdana Sdn Bhd without his knowledge.
'He first said the affidavit was 'very badly drafted', and then he said the admission was based on 'allegations at that time'.
'He later said that he was 'misled' and backtracked to say it was the information he received. And another version was that he was misled by media reporting,' Lim said after the defence had closed its case.
SRC International is suing Najib and former CEO Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil for wrongfully receiving company property, and dishonestly and wrongfully conspiring to convert company property for their own use.
A judgment in default of appearance has been entered against Nik Faisal.
The suit originally included former chairman Ismee Ismail, as well as former directors Suboh Yasin, Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi, Azhar Osman Khairuddin and Che Abdullah @ Rashidi Che Omar, as co-defendants.
SRC International later dropped the case against them. However, they were added as third parties by Najib.
Lim also said Najib never informed his Cabinet about the RM42 million he allegedly received, and that he continued to helm decisions involving SRC International.
'It cannot be said that he was acting in the country's interest, or that his actions can be downplayed to mere recklessness,' he said.
The hearing continues before Justice Ahmad Fairuz Zainol Abidin on Tuesday, with Najib's lawyer, Shafee Abdullah, submitting in his defence, followed by lawyers appearing for the various third parties.
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