THE donation from the Saudi royal family was channelled directly to former prime minister Najib Razak’s bank accounts to “smoothen” matters and avoid political “complications”, the high court heard today.

Former Islamic affairs minister Jamil Khir Baharom testified he was made to understand the reasons behind the arrangement after witnessing a meeting between the late Saudi ruler King Abdullah Abdul Aziz Al-Saud and Najib on January 11, 2010.

Jamil, a retired army maj-gen, testified that he saw the duo speak privately towards the end of the meeting.

“If I am not mistaken, King Abdullah mentioned that he would send a donation not long after the meeting and said the funds would be channelled directly to Najib’s own bank account for certain reasons.

“I was made to understand that this was to smoothen the political process for Datuk Seri Najib and also because King Abdullah was concerned that channelling the donation into any political entity would complicate the way the fund is spent,” Jamil said.

The witness said Najib told him this fact, which was also shared with former Malaysian ambassador to Saudi Arabia Syed Omar Syed Mohamad Al-Saggaf and then foreign affairs minister Anifah Aman.

Jamil said King Abdullah, who died in 2015, wanted Najib to maintain the “moderate” governance of Malaysia and to curb the Shia influence and religious extremism in Malaysia.

The witness was testifying at the SRC International trial, where Najib faces seven criminal charges for having received RM42 million between December 2014 and February 2015.

Najib, 66, maintains that he was under the impression that RM42 million originated from Saudi royals.  

Prosecutors said the alleged donation was, in fact, linked to 1Malaysia Development Bhd and that Najib conspired with others to defraud Malaysian taxpayers.

Jamil’s testimony echoed that of Syed Omar’s yesterday, who said he was told by Najib that the donation was to help make Malaysia a model Islamic country and to curb the spread of discord following the Arab spring protests in 2010.

In his witness statement, Jamil, who served in the cabinet from 2009 until 2018, testified of the “honour” accorded to Najib, who was invited to speak at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation conference in Mecca in 2011.

“Malaysia is the first Islamic country in the world given a chance to deliver a speech. This shows how close King Abdullah was with Datuk Seri Najib to receive such a special opportunity.”

Najib was again invited to the conference the following year, which showed his commitment to the OIC, the witness said.

During cross-examination, led by ad hoc prosecutor V. Sithambaram, Jamil disagree with the assertion that he was lying.  

Sithambaram: I am putting it to you that, at the private audience, King Abdullah merely assured Datuk Seri Najib of his support to carry out duties as the leader of Malaysia and a model Islamic country.

Jamil: I disagree.

Sithambaram: King Abdullah gave no verbal support in terms financial support. I am suggesting there was no offer of financial support from the king.

Jamil: I don’t agree.

Sithambaram: I am putting it to you, that your statement there was a discussion in January 2010 regarding the 2013 election is false.

Jamil: I disagree.

Sithambaram: Therefore, what you describe as an offer of donation is not true.

Jamil: I disagree.

Sithambaram then suggested that Jamil lied about King Abdullah’s promise to deliver a donation not long after meeting Najib and that the funds must be parked in the former prime minister’s accounts.

Jamil again disagreed and said the late king did not mention a sum.

Sithambaram: After this alleged pledge by King Abdullah to micro-manage the donation, was there any mention who will handle the donation?

Jamil: As far as I can remember, there was no mention of any person.

Sithambaram: Did King Abdullah promise to give part of this donation as part of a loan?

Jamil: No, as far as I can remember.

Sithambaram: As far as you know, did King Abdullah actually send the money?

Jamil: I don’t know.

He also said the donation was never discussed in the cabinet nor was he certain if the funds were for the 2013 elections.

When Sithambaram asked if the donation could be considered as interfering in the nation’s affairs, Jamil disagreed.

Najib previously testified he returned US$620 million (RM2.02 billion then) in August 2013 to Tanore Corporation, which he said was controlled by the Saudi government. Investigators later revealed that the company was controlled by fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, commonly known as Jho Low. 

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

The trial before Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali resumes on Thursday. – February 11, 2020.