A BANK manager told Kuala Lumpur High Court today that no red flag was raised when US$620 million (RM2.08 billion) was remitted from jailed former prime minister Najib Razak’s AmBank account in August 2013.

Ambank (M) Bhd Jalan Raja Chulan branch manager R. Uma Devi said where remittance is concerned it is usually up to the customer to get approval from Bank Negara Malaysia.

“I believe nothing was done to stop it, the bank doesn’t ask for approval on behalf of the customer,” Uma told lawyer Wan Aizuddin Wan Mohammed during cross-examination today.

Uma said that the money had been transmitted and nothing was done to stop it.

Wan Aizuddin was asking Uma about the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activies Act 2001 in relation to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.

Uma is the 37th witness to testify in Najib’s trial. The Pekan MP is accused of misappropriating RM2.28 billion of 1MDB funds in between 2011 and 2013, when he was prime minister.

Najib is facing 25 charges of abuse of power and money laundering.

Uma yesterday told the court that Najib had received two separate payments of RM2.08 billion and RM90 million into his Ambank accounts in 2012 and 2013.

During the prosecution’s opening statement, they claimed that the RM2.08 billion originated from companies linked to fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low, as he is popularly known.

However, the defence is claiming that the money is a donation from a friendly Arab nation.

Wan Aizuddin then asked Uma if the bank’s relations manager could assist in getting the approval (from BNM).

She said that no one except the customer could do so.

Wan Aizuddin then asked Uma about Amla procedures on and if red flags were raised.

Uma said there are some trigger points that the bank looks at, which are the size of the transfer, and the purpose and disclosure of information from the customer.

“Screening is based on these trigger points. We look at the conduct of the account.”

Wan Aizuddin asked if the customer is informed when a red flag is raised.

Uma said the customer would not be informed.

“After a red flag is raised, the bank will conduct its investigations.

“I have experienced this at the Jalan Raja Chulan branch. The bank had stopped some transactions for Amla reasons,” the witness added. – September 28, 2022.