FORMER 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) chief financial officer Azmi Tahir told the Kuala Lumpur High Court today that Najib Razak did not question irregularities in the state investment firm.

Najib also did not reprimand him for any of his actions regarding 1MDB, Azmi said during the former prime minister’s trial for misappropriating over RM2 billion from the fund.

The witness was questioned by lead prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram, who wanted him to explain whether Najib had ever asked him about irregularities in 1MDB, which Najib oversaw as finance minister and chairman of its advisory board. 

Sri Ram started his examination by asking Azmi if he had received any money that was siphoned off from 1MDB.

Sri Ram asked: “Did you obtain any money from 1MDB? Relating to all the charges, did you obtain any financial benefits?”

Azmi replied that he did not get a single sen of any money. 

He was then showed a series of bank transactions on alleged billions of IMDB funds siphoned to Najib’s bank account. 

Sri Ram then questioned Azmi on the US$681 million (RM2.99 billion) in 1MDB funds that ended up in Najib’s account between March 21 and April 10, 2013. 

He also asked about the RM45 million in funds from 1MDB that went into Najib’s account between October 23 and December 19, 2014. 

“Were you aware that he (Najib) was siphoning off money from 1MDB?” Sri Ram asked.

Azmi said he was not aware and did not know if Najib had received any funds.

Sri Ram then asked Azmi if he had personally obtained any money, and whether he conspired with fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, said to be the mastermind behind 1MDB’s scandals, to siphon off money from the fund. 

Azmi denied the claim.

Azmi is the 12th witness in the trial against Najib for misappropriating RM2.28 billion in 1MDB funds.

Najib faces 25 charges – four for abuse of power and 21 for money laundering – for offences committed between 2011 and 2013.

Sri Ram also asked Azmi if he was ever reprimanded for any of his actions as chief financial officer. Azmi answered in the negative.

The lead prosecutor then asked Azmi if he raised any concerns about 1MDB with Najib.

“On no occasion did you go to Najib to raise concerns about 1MDB? It was put to you that you had several occasions where you could have done it but you didn’t?

“When you were accused of doing what you did, did Najib ever reprimand you in respect of any of it?” Sri Ram asked.

Azmi said he was never reprimanded by Najib and said that his contract with the firm was renewed. 

Sri Ram then asked Azmi if Najib had called and questioned him on irregularities at 1MDB.

“In your working experience, did Najib call you up to explain all these irregularities?”

Azmi said Najib could have done so, but added, “I don’t recall him questioning the irregularities that came up in the papers.”

Sri Ram then asked Azmi if he would have gone to see Najib had the then prime minister called him up.

“I don’t see how I could have refused,” Azmi replied.

The trial before High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah will continue tomorrow. – May 17, 2022.