A MALAYSIAN Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigating officer told the High Court in Kuala Lumpur today that he did not question former prime minister Najib Razak about RM9.5 million in cheques he gave to Muhammad Shafee Abdullah’s lawyer in 2013 and 2014.

Mohamad Farid Jabar, 37, said he also did not meet with Najib to confirm this.

The cheques, for RM4.3 million and RM5.2 million respectively and dated September 3, 2013 and February 17, 2014, were issued by Najib under Shafee’s name, the eighth prosecution witness said under cross-examination by lawyer Harvinderjit Singh, representing Shafee, 70.

The veteran lawyer is accused of receiving the proceeds from unlawful activities from Najib, plus two charges of making false statements to the Inland Revenue Board IRB).

Meanwhile, when asked by deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Afzainizam Abdul Aziz whether there was any invoice regarding the payment, Farid replied: “None”.

Previously, the witness told the court that the RM9.5 million was payment for Shafee’s counsel to Najib and Umno from 2004 and 2006, including for filing of election petitions.

Today, Farid said he had never asked or issued a notice to Messrs. Shafee & Co to submit an invoice for the sum in question.

Farid, the last prosecution witness, also admitted that he did investigate the files at the legal firm nor take any evidence from Shafee’s clients.

Harvinderjit asked whether he was told that the cheques were issued by Najib to Shafee because Sahfee acted for the prosecution in Anwar Ibrahim sodomy appeal.

“No,” Farid said.

On March 11, 2015, former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri told the Dewan Rakyat that Shafee received a payment of RM1,000 as for the sodomy trial.

On September 13, 2018, Shafee pleaded not guilty to two charges of receiving RM9.5 million in proceeds from unlawful activities through two cheques issued by Najib, which were deposited into his CIMB Bank Berhad account.

The lawyer was also charged with two counts of engaging in transactions resulting from illegal activities, submitting incorrect tax returns, which is in violation of paragraph 113 (1) (a) of the Income Tax Act 1967 for the financial years ending December 31, 2013, and December 31, 2014.

The trial before Judge Muhammad Jamil Hussin continues on May 12. – Bernama, April 27, 2022.