KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s defence has taken issue with the claim made by prosecution witness Jasmine Loo that the former prime minister was a “monster” in 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), leading the directors to the “slaughterhouse”.
Najib’s lead defence counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, disagreed and even challenged the prosecution’s key witness to prove her words that claimed Najib was a “monster” in 1MDB.
This came after Loo, who is former 1MDB general counsel, said the company’s board of directors blindly followed Najib’s instructions, as accorded under Article 117 of the company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association (M&A).
She also said all decisions required Najib’s approval for substantial transactions as per Article 117.
Article 117 accorded the prime minister the final say in the M&A, including directors and the company’s highest management amendments, appointments as well as dismissals.
The article also said the then prime minister’s written approval must be obtained when it comes to any financial, investment, or decision regarding the company’s structure that could have an affect on national interest, security, and government policy.
Shafee: My client (Najib) took note of the directors and gave his approval, as the shareholder, (which was) stated under Article 117, so where in the paper that made the then prime minister a monster and he led the poor directors who were like a lamb to the slaughterhouse?
Loo: (Even though) it did not say (so) specifically in Article 117… but in substance, it meant the same individual. 1MDB treated the shareholder in his capacity as prime minister and shareholder.
However, today’s trial was cut short as the court was told that Najib was suffering from diarrhoea.
Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib then called Kajang Prison health clinic’s medical officer, Dr Mohd Hafiz Mohd Hoshni, to testify, where he said Najib had been having stomach aches.
“He (Najib) is weak, tired and dehydrated… his blood pressure is (also) low,” he said, adding that he had prescribed the former prime minister several medications, including oral rehydration salts.
However, judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah only allowed for an adjournment today and instructed Najib to show up for proceedings tomorrow.
Najib, 70, is facing four charges of using his position to obtain an alleged RM2.3 billion bribe in 1MDB funds, as well as 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount. – April 2, 2024