FORMER second finance minister Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah resigned in 2016 after his rationalisation plan to trim 1Malaysia Development Bhd and sell off its assets was ignored, the Kuala Lumpur High Court heard today.

Among his plans, which were announced in 2015, was to dispose some of the 1MDB assets including Bandar Malaysia and TRX (Tun Razak Exchange), while maintaining some percentage of holdings.

Husni said he resigned on June 27, 2016 after then 1MDB chief executive officer Arul Kanda Kandasamy did not follow his rationalisation plan.

The 67-year-old witness testified that it was Najib who had ordered him to come up with the rationalisation plan.

“He hugged me and told me I did a good job,” Husni said, adding that the cabinet agreed with the plan.

He said the implementation, however, was handed over to Arul Kanda, whose actions were approved by Najib.

Husni told the court earlier today that another reason he resigned was that Najib had wanted to transfer him to head the local government ministry.  

After he stepped down in June 2016, he also resigned from all posts in Umno. 

Husni, however, denied that he was “upset” with Najib.

“I live for Allah. Why must I be upset with people. People are bloody small. 

“I never scolded Najib because to me, he is a human being,” said Husni, the trial’s penultimate prosecution witness, before he was released from the witness stand. 

Husni 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.   

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

The 66-year-old faces three counts of criminal breach of trust, three counts of money-laundering and one count of abuse of power. If convicted, he may be jailed up to 20 years. 

The trial continues tomorrow. – August 8, 2019.