FORMER prime minister Najib Razak signed five cheques for RM22.6 million in illicit funds involving 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) money, the Kuala Lumpur High Court was told today.

Anti-Money Laundering Criminal Investigation Division assistant director Foo Wei Min said through his analysis, he found that the five transactions involved funds allegedly obtained from unlawful activities by 1MDB’s subsidiary, 1MDB Global Investment Ltd (1MDB GIL).

The 48th prosecution witness said this when reading out his witness statement during the examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Kamal Baharin Omar in Najib’s trial for the alleged misappropriation of RM2.3 billion of 1MDB funds.

He said one of the cheques, written for RM20 million and dated August 2, 2013, was issued to Umno, while one dated August 7, 2013, for RM100,000, was issued to Batu Kawan Umno.

The three other cheques were issued to property tycoon Lim Soon Peng (for RM246,000 on August 7, 2013), ORB Solutions Sdn Bhd (for RM2 million on August 12, 2013) and Semarak Konsortium Satu Sdn Bhd (for RM303,000 on August 14, 2013), Foo said.

Foo told the court that Umno treasurer Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah had confirmed receiving the RM20 million check from Najib.

“Similarly, Datuk Mohd Noor Ahmad, Batu Kawan Umno division leader in Penang, confirmed he received RM10 million (from Najib) for political purposes in his area,” said Foo, adding that a CIMB officer also confirmed Lim received RM246,000 from Najib.

Regarding the RM2 million for ORB Solutions, Foo said it was received by the company director, Amhari Efendi Nazaruddin, for offering Najib publicity services on social media including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Najib’s private blog.

“The money from 1MDB GIL was channelled to ORB Solutions as payment for developing social media services and maintenance fees. Based on my analysis, I identified the RM2 million as illicit funds from 1MDB GIL,” he said.

He said Semarak Konsortium owner Mohd Omar Mustapha received RM22 million for providing international media consultancy services to Najib, which included preparing his speeches in English.

Foo said among the writers who prepared Najib’s speeches in English were Paul Stadlen, Charlotte Carr, Alexander Marklew and Benedict Macon Cooney.

Najib, 70, faces four charges of abusing his position to obtain bribes of RM2.3 billion belonging to 1MDB and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.

The trial before judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues. – Bernama, October 12, 2023.