KUALA LUMPUR – A document allegedly authorised by Datuk Seri Najib Razak in his capacity as finance minister was “abnormally” expedited to coincide with the Abu Dhabi crown prince’s visit to Malaysia in March 2013, the high court here heard today.
Prosecution witness Datuk Siti Zauyah Md Desa – who was then with the Loan Management, Financial Market and Actuary Division under the Finance Ministry – said she was ordered to expedite a memorandum in relation to a support letter issued by Najib on the special joint venture company between Abu Dhabi’s Aabar Investments PJS and 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
Siti Zauyah said she had received the order to prepare the memorandum on February 18, 2013, while the document was tabled to the cabinet on February 20, 2013.
This was necessary as cabinet approval is needed to pump US$3 billion (RM13.5 billion) into the joint venture.
Under cross-examination, Siti Zauyah agreed with defence lawyer Wan Aizuddin Wan Mohammed’s assertion that the documents were prepared almost immediately to coincide with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan’s visit to the country in March 2013.
Wan Aizuddin: “The instruction to expedite was from whom?”
Siti Zauyah: “From KSP (former treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah)”
Wan Aizuddin: “Was it a verbal instruction?”
Siti Zauyah: “Yes.”
Wan Aizuddin: “Did he say why it had to be expedited?”
Siti Zauyah: “I can’t remember.”
Wan Aizuddin: “Was it due to the Crown Prince (of) Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed Zayed Al-Nahyan’s visit?”
Siti Zauyah: “Yes.”
Wan Aizuddin: “Besides the KSP, did you receive the order from anyone else?”
Siti Zauyah: “No.”
Wan Aizuddin: “Did you feel odd to receive such an instruction?”
Siti Zauyah: “It was abnormal because it has never been done that way before.”
In March 2013, 1MDB formed 1MDB Global Investments Limited (1MDB GIL), a subsidiary that embarked on a fundraising process by taking on debts through a bond issuance of US$3 billion.
The money was originally intended to be injected into a British Virgin Islands-based joint venture company Abu Dhabi Malaysia Investment Company (Admic) between 1MDB GIL and Aabar Investments PJS Limited.
Aabar Investments PJS Limited has been recognised as a fake entity under the control of fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho or Jho Low, meant to resemble the name of another Abu Dhabi company – Aabar Investment PJS.
Najib, 69, is facing four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.3 billion from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.
The hearing in front of high court judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah will continue tomorrow with Siti Zauyah in the stand for cross-examination. – The Vibes, September 5, 2022
