A BANK manager told the Kuala Lumpur High Court today that former Felda chairman Shahrir Abdul Samad received a cheque for RM1 million from former prime minister Najib Razak nine years ago. 

Ambank (M) Bhd Jalan Raja Chulan branch manager R. Uma Devi, 43, who appeared as the prosecution’s 12th witness, said the cheque was issued by Najib himself to Shahrir on November 27, 2013, and that the cheque was cleared the next day. 

Uma Devi appeared as a prosecution witness during the examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Rasyidah Murni Azmi in the case of former Johor Baru MP Shahrir, who is charged with laundering money by not stating his real income in the Income Tax Return Form for Assessment Year 2013. 

The act is a violation of Section 113(1)(a) of the Income Tax Act 1967, over the RM1 million, believed to be from unlawful activities, which he received from Najib through a cheque.

“Based on Datuk Seri Najib’s bank statement, the balance as of November 2013 was RM48,273,239.26 and the balance as of November 30, 2013, was RM36,922,068.26. On November 28, 2013, there was a withdrawal of RM1 million from the account,” she said. 

However, Uma Devi said Najib’s bank account, which was opened on July 31, 2013, was closed on March 9, 2015, with no reason stated. 

“The balance in said account and the balance of RM103,361.17 from two other accounts that belonged to Najib were withdrawn through a cheque issued to Ihsan Perdana Sdn Bhd,” she said.

Shahrir is alleged to have committed the offence at IRB Duta Branch, Government Office Complex, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim, on April 25, 2014. The charge, framed under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, provides a maximum fine of RM5 million, imprisonment of up to five years, or both, if found guilty. 

Judge Muhammad Jamil Hussin fixed September 5 for the next hearing. – Bernama, August 11, 2022.