NAJIB Razak admitted that RM42 million entered his bank accounts, according to an affidavit he filed in a defamation suit against former transport minister Dr Ling Liong Sik in early 2016.

However, the former prime minister said he had no knowledge that the funds were channelled through two SRC International intermediaries, said Dr Ling’s lawyer, Ranjit Singh Harvinder Singh, who read out Najib’s affidavit in the Kuala Lumpur High Court today.

Najib is on trial for seven criminal charges over RM42 million of SRC International funds deposited into his personal accounts  in December, 2014, and February, 2015.

Dr Ling, during a function at Tunku Abdul Rahman Universitiy College in Kuala Lumpur on October 3, 2015, said Najib was unfit to be prime minister and had called for his resignation after new reports alleged of misappropriation of public funds.

“Because he (Najib) has taken people’s money and put it in his own personal accounts,” Ling was quoted as saying by Malaysiakini then.

Najib dropped his suit on May 22 last year, weeks after Barisan Nasional lost power and he stepped down as prime minister.

Ranjit also read out Dr Ling’s original comment, which was recorded during a dinner the former transport minister attended.

“Dia ambik orang punya duit dan taruk dalam personal account. Mana boleh,” Dr Ling was quoted as saying.

(“He took people’s money and put them in his personal account. How can?”)

Ranjit also said his client was singled out by Najib for legal action even though others, including Dr Mahathir Mohamad, was also critical of Najib.

“Datuk Seri Ling was singled out even though Dr Mahathir had said worse,” said the witness, which led to a counterclaim by Ling.

In Najib’s affidavit, dated February 23, 2016, the former prime minister also admitted that US$700 million (RM2.6 billion) entered his account, which he said was a donation.

The RM42 million was channelled through two SRC International intermediaries – subsidiary Gandingan Mentari Sdn Bhd and corporate responsibility partner Ihsan Perdana Sdn Bhd.

Najib’s affidavit stated the funds were received on December 26, 2014 and February 10, 2014.

Dr Ling’s counterclaim was struck out when Najib’s suit was withdrawn.

Najib’s lead counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah objected to the witness testimony, saying evidence in a civil suit is irrelevant in establishing a prima facie case against Najib as it does not fulfil requirements in the Evidence Act.

Shafee said the defence will make a submission.

Ad hoc prosecutor V. Sithambaram said the prosecution will respond with a formal application to include the testimony as evidence.

Najib faces three counts of criminal breach of trust, three counts of money-laundering and one count of abuse of power. The 66-year-old faces up to 20 years’ jail if convicted.

He is represented by a dozen lawyers, led by Shafee. Attorney-General Tommy Thomas leads the prosecution, while Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali presides over the trial. – July 29, 2019.