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Wednesday, September 28, 2022

In 1MDB trial, defence argues that Saudi royalty’s promised US$100m ‘gift’ behind RM60.6m transfer to Najib's account in 2011




In 1MDB trial, defence argues that Saudi royalty’s promised US$100m ‘gift’ behind RM60.6m transfer to Najib's account in 2011




Datuk Seri Najib Razak arrives at the Kuala Lumpur High Court September 28, 2022. — Picture by Shafwan Zaidon

Wednesday, 28 Sep 2022 2:35 PM MYT



KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 — The transfer of some RM60.6 million into Datuk Seri Najib personal AmIslamic bank account in 2011 is actually part of the promised gift of US$100 million made by the Saudi royal family, lawyers for the former prime minister argued at the High Court here today.

Defence lawyer Wan Aizuddin Wan Mohammed made this suggestion during his client's trial over the misappropriation of RM2.28 billion of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) funds.


He was cross-examining AmIslamic bank Jalan Raja Chulan branch manager R. Uma Devi who was testifying as the 37th prosecution witness and asked her about the money totalling over RM60.6 million that entered Najib's AmIslamic account with the account number ending 9694 through two transactions of RM30,449,929.97 on February 24, 2011 and RM30,179,909.46 on June 14, 2011.

Wan Aizuddin produced in court a letter dated February 1, 2011 allegedly signed off by Saud Abdulaziz Al-Saud and addressed to Najib.


The defence lawyer even read out the entire letter, including the portion where the sender told Najib. “In view of the friendship that we have developed over the years and your new ideas as a modern Islamic leader, I hereby grant you a sum of United States Dollar One Hundred Million (US$100,000,000) Only ("Gift") which shall be remitted to you at such times and in such manner as I deem fit”.


Aizuddin: Now looking at this letter, February 1, 2011, what this person basically says, he is sending over money totalling US$100 million, this is what the letter says, yes? Would you agree?

Uma Devi: Yes. Wan Aizuddin tried to suggest the two transactions totalling RM60.6 million in 2011 were part of the US$100 million promised gift, but Uma Devi replied that she would not be able to make such a conclusion or confirmation based only on the documents shown to her so far.

Aizuddin: And based on the account statement and the two transactions I have shown you together with the SWIFT documents, you would agree with me there is a possibility or rather a irresistible conclusion that this would be the reason why the money was sent – it was a personal gift, it was a donation?

Uma Devi: I can't conclude in that manner, because the amount differs first and foremost. And I'm not sure whether this had been given to the bank prior to the transaction, so I can't conclude that, I can't confirm that.

Wan Aizuddin then suggested that if the letter had been sighted by AmBank staff, the bank would have been aware that the RM60.6 million that were sent to Najib's account in 2011 “were in fact from Saudi and is in fact part of the gift that has been promised by the Saudi royal family”. But Uma Devi replied: “I do not know”.


Among other things, the purported February 1, 2011 letter to Najib on the alleged gift of US$100 million had stated: “This letter is issued as a gesture of good faith and for clarification, I do not expect to receive any personal benefit whether directly or indirectly as a result of the Gift. The Gift should not in any event be construed as an act of corruption since this is against the practice of Islam and I personally do not encourage such practices in any manner whatsoever. This is merely a personal token of appreciation and I am hoping the Gift would encourage you to continue with your good work to promote Islam around the world.”

Wan Aizuddin did not say who Saud Abdulaziz Al-Saud is, but referred to the alleged gift as being promised by the Saudi royal family.

Najib was seen wearing a dark brown suit today with a lattice-pattern tie, and was also spotted sipping on a cup from coffee chain outlet Gloria Jeans in the courtroom while waiting for his trial to start.

He was also seen holding a book titled Leadership in Turbulent Times” by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Najib's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor attended part of his trial, while his son Norashman was sighted in the court complex. Najib's 1MDB trial before High Court judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah resumes this afternoon.

2 comments:

  1. The two separate Ambank transactions were totally different and at different times from the purported $ 100 Million in the alleged Saudi letter.
    Impossible to match the three and conclude they are all referring to the same matter.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I must commend the witness, Uma for her steadfastness.

    All she need to do is relate events as she knows and be the professional that she is.

    ReplyDelete