FORMER prime minister Najib Razak received a total of US$1.17 (RM544) billion from an Arab donor in two separate transactions in 2011 and 2013, the Kuala Lumpur High Court heard today. 

Ambank capital market head Yap Wai Keat said this when he was asked to verify two transactions of US$800 million and US$375 million that was deposited into Najib’s account. 

Defence lawyer Wan Aizuddin Wan Mohammed asked Yap whether he knew if the funds were a gift from an Arab donor.

The lawyer said former Madinah governor Saud Abdulaziz Al Saud had said in a letter the money was a gift for Najib. 

Wan Aizuddin said it was stated in the letter that the funds were a reward for Najib’s work that was based on Islamic principles.

Yap, however, said he couldn’t verify if the letter was indeed from Saud Abdulaziz.

He said such matters were handled by AmBank relationship manager Joanna Yu.

“I can’t remember if Yu had mentioned that it was a gift, personal transfer or donation. It should be one of the three.”

Saud Abdulaziz in the letter said that donations would be made “at such a time and manner” that he deemed fit.

He had also indicated in the letter that Tanore Finance Corp would be one of the companies making the donation to the former Malaysian leader.

Last week, the defence counsel had also introduced similar letters from Saud.

A February 2011 letter said Saud had gifted Najib with US$100 million and US$375 million in November 2011.

Blackstone Asia Real Estate Partners was stated as one of the companies that would make the payment to Najib. 

In all the letters, Saud said the funds were a gesture of goodwill and that he had no expectations of being repaid.

Najib, 69, is charged with using his former position to obtain RM2.3 billion in bribes and laundering the same amount.– October 3, 2022.