NAJIB Razak’s defence team today objected to a Finance Ministry officer’s testimony that SRC International Sdn Bhd’s application for a government guarantee for a RM2 billion loan was rushed through because “it was the PM’s company”.

Afidah Azwa Abdul Aziz, deputy secretary in the ministry’s strategic investments department, told the Kuala Lumpur High Court that she had asked her boss, Maliami Ahmad, why the application was rushed through.

When asked by deputy public prosecutor Suhaimi Ibrahim what was Maliami’s reply, Afidah said Maliami replied: “It was an instruction from the higher ups.”

“This is the PM’s (prime minister’s) company.”   

Defence counsel Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden objected, calling it hearsay.

Ad hoc prosecutor V. Sithambaram said Maliami is a pending witness and her testimony will corroborate Afidah’s statement. 

Justice Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali ruled that Afidah’s statement will be admitted in court but its veracity will be determined later when Maliami is called to the stand.

Maliami headed the Finance Ministry’s loans management, financial market and actuary division.

The government guarantee was for the Retirement Fund Inc’s (KWAP’s) first loan of RM2 billion to SRC International, which was disbursed on August 29, 2011.

Afidah testified yesterday that she had met four SRC International representatives, led by CEO Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil, on August 15, 2011.

She was then ordered to prepare a memorandum to be presented at a cabinet meeting two days later. 

The letter of guarantee for the first RM2 billion loan was signed by second finance minister Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah.

Afidah testified earlier today that she was under “duress” to speed up the government guarantee application process. 

She also testified that during the process, she had sought further information from SRC International executive Zahid Taib, who allegedly replied: “We only answer to the prime minister.”

Afidah said when she reported the matter to Maliami, no further action was taken. 

Najib’s charges in this trial relate to the RM4 billion in loans to SRC International, from which he is accused of receiving RM42 million in his personal accounts in 2014 and 2015. 

He faces three counts of criminal breach of trust, three counts of money-laundering and one count of abuse of power.

Najib, 66, is represented by a dozen lawyers led by Muhammad Shafee Abdullah. Attorney-General Tommy Thomas leads the prosecution. – June 20, 2019.