Najib couldn’t have known if money in accounts from illegal sources, says lawyer

Bede Hong Bede Hong Updated 7 years ago · Published on 15 Apr 2019 6:12PM · 7 Comments

Muhammad Shafee Abdullah says it is the prosecution's job to prove that his client, ex-prime minister Najib Razak, was complicit in any wrongdoing. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, April 15, 2019.

NAJIB Razak could not have known whether the money credited into his accounts came from illegal sources, said his lead counsel, adding that it is up to prosecutors to prove the matter.

Speaking to reporters after proceedings at the Kuala Lumpur High Court were adjourned today, Muhammad Shafee Abdullah said it is for the prosecution to prove that the former prime minister was complicit in any wrongdoing.

“He (Najib) may not have had the full picture of all the transactions involving his bank accounts. There can be many transactions.

“The issue is, did Najib know the exact thing, what went on? Did he know whether the money that (made its way) into his accounts came from an illegal source?

“That is the basic premise. Just because money (is credited) into my account, it does not mean I have full knowledge of whether it came from an illegal source. And, this is because there were many individuals involved.

“The prosecution needs to show that he was complicit. That he was part of the conspiracy. That is a job for the prosecution, not us.”

Earlier today, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) manager Azizul Adzani Abdul Ghafar, who was an investigator in the SRC International Sdn Bhd case, testified that the central bank had obtained documents linking Najib to the opening of accounts between 2011 and 2015.

These included transfers amounting to RM42 million, for which Najib is on trial for money laundering, criminal breach of trust and abuse of power.

Former prime minister Najib Razak is on trial for money laundering, criminal breach of trust and abuse of power involving RM42 million. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Najjua Zulkefli, April 15, 2019.

Shafee said the transfers into Najib’s accounts – the subject of the cross-examination – are not being questioned by the defence.

“These are not being disputed. If you have a bank account, you have a bank account. But what goes into the bank account, that’s what is being disputed. There is nothing new about him (Najib) having bank accounts.

“This case is important not because of what it reveals… but what is not revealed, that we need to reveal.”

Today, Attorney-General Tommy Thomas led the prosecution, which also comprised deputy public prosecutors V. Sithambaram and Suhaimi Ibrahim.

Defence lawyer Harvinderjit Singh cross-examined the trial’s first witness, Companies Commission of Malaysia assistant registrar Ahmad Akmaludin Abdullah.

Akmaludin confirmed that SRC International was established on January 7, 2011, and was then not owned by 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

Justice Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali agreed to adjourn today’s proceedings after the defence requested more time to photocopy evidentiary documents from BNM.

Najib, dressed in a black suit, did not speak to reporters. – April 15, 2019.

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Comments

  • If this is your defence, Najib will sure go to jail.

    Posted 7 years ago by SY L · Reply

  • Who initiated the request to open bank account ?
    Reason to open the account ?
    KYC/SOP for the account opening unknown to anyone ?

    Posted 7 years ago by Righteous Act · Reply

  • In a typical money laundering case, can the defense lawyer claim his client doesn't not know the source of the money and get away with it?
    The amount involved was RM42,000,000 not RM42! Bl@@dy crooked loyar buruk.

    Posted 7 years ago by Chee yee ng · Reply

  • What a laughable "defence"! Najib is not a beggar in the street who might have thanked God to find "durian runtuh" in his account. To wake up one morning and find billions in his account, and not lift a finger to find out how that money got into his account, is very very incriminating. It proves something - that Najib had full knowledge of the source of the money and so he need not have to get alarmed that he might be committing some offence if he starts using that money. Shafee, carry on, try your luck if the court would buy your story.

    Posted 7 years ago by Ravinder Singh · Reply

  • Is that a excuse that everyone can use from now on????

    Posted 7 years ago by Besaman Mucho · Reply

  • Well, he did say it was from Arab donor didn't he?
    He can also claim that he did not know he was the PM of Malaysia(Public Official No.1).

    Posted 7 years ago by Steven Chow · Reply

  • Regardless of source, RM42 million suddenly appeared in ur account
    already suspicious

    Posted 7 years ago by Lan Lan · Reply