KUALA LUMPUR – SRC International Sdn Bhd’s former director Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi told the high court today that former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s decisions pertaining to investment of the company was something that should not be questioned.
Shahrol Azral, 54, said this when queried by his counsel Chong Yik Loong at SRC International’s US$1.18 billion (RM5.6 billion) civil suit against the former prime minister and its former chief executive officer Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil.
Najib was also the sole shareholder of SRC International and advisor emeritus of the company at the material time.
Chong: As far as you are concerned, the prime minister and minister of finance’s decision on the investment was on the welfare of the nation and it is something not to be questioned?
Shahrol Azral: Agree. Najib issued a very descriptive minute (shareholder’s resolution) on what SRC International needed to do to execute his wishes. It did not cross my mind to block or slow down (in executing decisions).
SRC, under its new management, filed the suit in May 2021, claiming that Najib had committed a breach of trust and power abuse, personally benefited from the company’s funds, and misappropriated the said funds.
It is also seeking a court declaration that Najib is responsible for the company’s losses due to his breach of duties and trust and for Najib to pay back the RM42 million in losses that they have suffered.
Najib, 70, has been serving a jail sentence at Kajang Prison since August 23, 2022 after being convicted of misappropriating RM42 million in SRC International funds.
He then filed a petition for a royal pardon on September 2, 2022, and the Pardons Board on January 29 this year reduced Najib’s jail term from 12 years to six, with the fine cut to RM50 million from RM210 million.
The trial before judge Datuk Ahmad Fairuz Zainol Abidin continues tomorrow, where another former SRC International director Che Abdullah @ Rashidi Che Omar is expected to testify. – May 7, 2024