Only a ‘moron’ waits 3 years to receive gratification, Najib says

Bede Hong Bede Hong Updated 6 years ago · Published on 4 Feb 2020 2:41PM · 7 Comments

Former prime minister Najib Razak says the charges against him in his SRC International trial are ‘preposterous’. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, February 4, 2020.

ONLY a “moron” would wait three years to receive gratification, Najib Razak told his SRC International Sdn Bhd trial today.

The former prime minister, who faces seven charges for receiving RM42 million in the entity’s money in his account, said there is no evidence that he was involved in arrangements to get the funds.

His charges are linked to RM4 billion in loans issued to SRC International in 2011 and 2012, of which he is accused of receiving RM42 million in December 2014 and February 2015.

“It never happened. And to suggest that as prime minister, I would have indulged in something like that, is preposterous. As I’ve said, I cannot be so stupid as to be a moron to ask for that kind of gratification and be discovered,” he said during re-examination by his lead counsel, Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

“I never sought any gratification, and I did not know that the RM42 million went into my account at the material time.”

Najib said the charges against him are “preposterous”, as they indicate that he waited three years to receive gratification.

“In politics, one week is a long time, (what more) three years. One could have been out of office by then.

“No one waits for three years to receive (gratification). On top of that, it went into a CSR (corporate social responsibility) account. People get gratification for personal reasons – to buy a house, a car – but it went into a CSR account.

“It’s bizarre and preposterous, and I can’t imagine (anyone) doing something like that. I didn’t do it, and there’s no evidence to show that I even knew about it.”

Najib maintained that he was manipulated by Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, saying the Penang-born businessman worked with others, including former AmBank officers, to defraud SRC International.

“He (Low) threw lavish parties… infamous parties, which I was not invited to,” said the 66-year-old accused, prompting Shafee to ask in jest if he wishes he had been.

A laughing Najib said: “I don’t want to be part of it.

“He (Low) made a point to publicise it. He invited the press.”

At this point, ad hoc prosecutor V. Sithambaram objected, saying the statements are hearsay.

Najib said Low funnelled the RM42 million into his account as “bait”, to inspire confidence in the financier.

“He needed to continue to ensure that I had confidence and faith in him. The RM42 million is minuscule compared to what he was spending.

“That is my take on this. It was an investment or a bait, so that he could continue to benefit from the other activities he was doing.”

The Pekan MP said it was only later that he realised Low was doing things without his knowledge.

Shafee: You continued to have confidence in Jho Low until a certain point in time?

Najib: Until it became clear to me that he was involved in all these scams and whatever other activities he was doing.

Shafee: When did you come to this realisation, that he baited you?

Najib: I began to realise much later. I began to have doubts when I first gave evidence to MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission). Of course, later on, the whole thing became an international issue. Then, I realised that he did a lot of things I was not aware of.

Najib concludes his testimony today. He has been on the witness stand on 16 hearing dates since December 3 last year.

The next defence witness is former AmBank relationship manager Krystle Yap.

The trial, before justice Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali, continues. – February 4, 2020.

Sign up or sign in here to comment.

Comments

  • And then Your Honour, I kissed the frog, and it turned into a Prince, an Arab Prince, and he told me how much he loved me and why he gave me hundreds of millions of dollars (which I never realized were from 1MDB), and he and I and the evil stepmother (who always gives me advice), lived happily ever after.
    That is how I plead, your Honour.

    Posted 6 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply

    • Well said.

      Posted 6 years ago by Lipdah Lia · Reply

  • hahaha. How 'LOW' he can go to keep lying to cover up this long drama? Poor fellow, how can he be picked as the PM?

    Posted 6 years ago by James Wong · Reply

  • I suppose he made this statement based on his vast experience in corruption and grand theft.

    Posted 6 years ago by Panchen Low · Reply

  • I cannot be so stupid as to be a moron to ask for that kind of gratification and be discovered...
    You are not only a moron but an assh@le as well!

    Posted 6 years ago by Chee yee ng · Reply

  • Put RM42million into his account to inspire his confidence? What sort of rubbish excuse is that? He must think we are all morons.

    Posted 6 years ago by Sunita petrus · Reply

  • What a SCUM. And he was PM. Not only a THIEF but a LIAR too.

    Posted 6 years ago by Lipdah Lia · Reply