Najib conveyed gratitude to King Abdullah over US$681 million donations privately - Lawyer
The lawyer said any such letter would have had to pass through official diplomatic channels, which posed risks to the "sensitive” nature of the alleged donation.
PUTRAJAYA - The High Court here today was told that Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak did not send a thank-you note after allegedly receiving donations from the late Saudi ruler King Abdullah, as he had conveyed his gratitude in person.
Najib’s lawyer Datuk Tania Scivetti argued that his client did not send a formal letter of thanks to the late ruler, fearing such correspondence might fall into the "wrong hands”.
She said any such letter would have had to pass through official diplomatic channels, which posed risks to the "sensitive” nature of the alleged donation.
"Datuk Seri Najib subsequently conveyed his gratitude to King Abdullah in person. He is always courteous, measured and respectful,” she submitted.
The former prime minister testified in January that there were official protocols to adhere to, and thus, he could not reply to the late Saudi ruler to thank him for his purported financial assistance amounting to US$681 million as it was a "sensitive matter".
Today was the sixth day of oral submissions by the defence before Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah, in a case where Najib faces a total of 25 charges involving RM2.3 billion of 1MDB’s funds.
On May 6, Najib’s defence concluded its case after calling 26 witnesses, and the court set nine days starting Oct 21 for oral submissions.
Najib, 72, faces four charges of using his position to obtain RM2.3 billion in 1MDB funds as gratification at the AmIslamic Bank Berhad branch on Jalan Raja Chulan, Bukit Ceylon here between Feb 24, 2011, and Dec 19, 2014.
He was charged under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 and faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of either five times the amount of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.
The former Pekan MP is also accused of 21 counts of money laundering, allegedly committed at the same bank between March 22, 2013, and Aug 30, 2013.
These charges were brought under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, which provides for a maximum fine of RM5 million and imprisonment of up to five years, or both, upon conviction.
Najib is currently serving his sentence in Kajang Prison for the misappropriation of RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd.
The hearing continues tomorrow. - BERNAMA
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