FORMER Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz today told the Kuala Lumpur High Court that Najib Razak never made any enquiry into the source of the RM2.6 billion in his personal account at AmIslamic Bank Bhd at the material time.

Zeti, 76, said this during examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Kamal Bahrin Omar at the former prime minister’s trial involving the misappropriation of RM2.3 billion of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) funds.

Kamal: Did Najib at any time enquire about the source of the transaction involving his four accounts?

Zeti: He did not.

Kamal: There was RM2.6 billion in Najib’s account before the 13th general election. Did BNM or you have knowledge about the sum (RM2.6 billion) in his account?

Zeti: The central bank and I, at that material time, had no knowledge about the large funds in his account.

The 46th prosecution witness also said as per the law, once BNM comes into information of irregular or suspicious transactions, it is required to notify the law agencies, such as the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

“Thus, BNM is not permitted to inform anyone else including the account holder,” she said.

Meanwhile, when questioned by Najib’s lead counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah about the money that flowed into her husband Tawfiq Ayman’s company account, Zeti said it was her husband who alerted the Singapore authorities about the dubious monies that flowed into the account of the company, Cutting Edge Industries Ltd.

Zeti added that her husband wrote the letter so the monies could be returned to the investors and it (monies) came back here (to Malaysia) as a result of his instruction.

Shafee then asked if Zeti could produce the letter which she claimed to have sighted, but Zeti said she is at no liberty to share the letter as the matter is now under investigation by the Malaysian police.

Shafee: So you were only told about the letter by your husband?

Zeti: Yes.

Shafee then contended that it is hearsay evidence.

After a heated exchange between the two, Zeti reiterated that at no time was any action ever taken against any of her family members for any wrongdoing in the Singapore jurisdiction.

Najib, 70, faces four charges of using his position to obtain bribes amounting to RM2.3 billion belonging to 1MDB and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.

The trial before judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues. – Bernama, August 14, 2023.