NAJIB Razak was behind sexual harassment allegations levelled against former second finance minister Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah, the court heard today.

Husni, the prosecution’s 56th witness, said accusations of graft and sexual harassment were levelled against him soon after he raised the issue on the management of 1Malaysia Development Bhd in Parliament in October 2016.

Husni, 67, also confirmed that a police report was lodged when cross-examined by lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.

“Did you think Datuk Seri Najib was behind the sexual harassment report against you by your own female staff?” asked Shafee, to which Husni replied, “Yes”.

The witness said he was “upset” with the implication. 

Ad hoc prosecutor V. Sithambaram then objected to Shafee’s line of questioning, saying it should focus on Najib’s criminal charges. 

Shafee responded by saying Husni’s credibility needed to be determined as the witness may be motivated by claims Najib was behind the sexual harassment allegation. 

Justice Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali then ruled that Shafee’s questioning was of a scandalous nature and barred further questions on the topic.

Husni, appointed by Najib to the cabinet in 2009, resigned from his post on June 27, 2016. He was also Tambun MP for five terms until he was defeated at the May 9 polls last year by Bersatu’s Ahmad Faizal Azumu, who is currently Perak menteri besar.

The cross-examination continued with Shafee asking Husni about the latter’s role as a finance minister.

Najib’s SRC International charges are linked to RM4 billion in loans issued to the entity in 2011 and 2012, for which he is accused of receiving RM42 million in his accounts in 2014 and 2015.

The 66-year-old has been slapped with three counts of criminal breach of trust, three counts of money-laundering and one count of abuse of power. – August 8, 2019.