1MDB audit tampering: more good things to come after Najib’s acquittal, says Shafee

KUALA LUMPUR – Lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah was hopeful that “more good things” will come for his client former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, after the latter was acquitted over charges of tampering with 1Malaysia Development Bhd’s (1MDB) 2016 audit report this morning.

Shafee said he is also confident of winning Najib’s other criminal cases, including the SRC International conviction and sentence review in the Federal Court, which he claimed are “politically charged”.

“You cannot dilute the fact that these are politically charged cases and – if it is politically charged – then there are other dimensions and other considerations that come into play, lawyers in those cases cannot predict accurately what would be the result because of the political dynamics.

“In this case, out of all these politically charged cases, this is the first good result we received and it is 100% a win, and I hope the Attorney-General’s Chambers would not appeal on this because the judge is completely supportable,” said Shafee in a press conference following the decision by the Kuala Lumpur High Court today.

Earlier today, justice Mohamed Zaini Mazlan had acquitted Najib, who was previously charged with abusing his position as prime minister and finance minister to order amendments in February 2016 to the auditor-general’s audit report on 1MDB before its finalisation and presentation to the Public Accounts Committee to avoid any civil or criminal action against him.

Similarly in the same proceedings, former 1MDB chief executive (CEO) Arul Kanda Kandasamy was also acquitted from his charge of abetting Najib in the report’s tampering.

Shafee said it was important to note that the Zaini found that there was no element of gratification by Najib.

“This is an important note from the decision that there is no element of gratification, no element of corruption against Datuk Seri Najib in this charge.”

Among the main witnesses in this trial is former auditor-general Tan Sri Ambrin Buang who said he was not pressured to make the amendments to the aforementioned audit report.

Based on evidence tendered to the court, Zaini also said he had not found that Ambrin was forced to make the amendments to the report and found that he was the “epitome of professionalism”.

In a press conference, Arul Kanda also expressed relief over his acquittal, stating that his performance as 1MDB CEO alone would have exonerated him.

He also revealed through brief exchanges he shared with Najib in the courtroom earlier that both felt that they were “vindicated”.

“I think the facts speak for themselves. I think throughout (my tenure) I have been honest and straightforward of what I have done when I took on the job and what I have done for the job.

“Some of the achievements from the role were there to be seen, in terms of reduction of 1MDB debts, the construction of the TRX (Tun Razak Exchange) project, and how the project is coming along so I feel my record stands for itself,” he said.

When asked what he plans to do next, Arul Kanda replied in jest that he would be updating his resume, preparing to be properly employed in the aftermath of the 1MDB financial scandal.

In his ruling, Zaini stated that Arul Kanda was “unfairly” vilified after being roped in to steer 1MDB following years of financial doldrums and purported improprieties. – The Vibes, March 3, 2023