Najib admitted knowing RM42mil from SRC entered accounts, DPP tells court
“This is a deliberate lie as he, in his affidavit, confirmed his knowledge that the RM42 million came from SRC International and entered his bank account. This constitutes in law an admission in writing against (his) interest”
(FMT) – The prosecution in Najib Razak’s corruption appeal told the Federal Court the former prime minister had affirmed an affidavit in a civil lawsuit, admitting that he knew RM42 million in funds which went into his personal bank account originated from SRC International.
Ad hoc prosecutor V Sithambaram said the affidavit was filed on Feb 23, 2016 in Najib’s lawsuit against former MCA chief Dr Ling Liong Sik.
Ling, a former transport minister, was reported as saying at an event held at Tunku Abdul Rahman University College on Oct 3, 2015 that Najib “took people’s money and put it into his accounts”.
Najib commenced legal action against Ling in the same year but withdrew the suit on May 22, 2018, shortly after the 14th general election which saw the Barisan Nasional government unseated from Putrajaya.
Sithambaram told the apex court’s five-member panel that Najib’s defence in the case before it was that he did not know the source of the funds.
“This is a deliberate lie as he, in his affidavit, confirmed his knowledge that the RM42 million came from SRC International and entered his bank account. This constitutes in law an admission in writing against (his) interest,” he said.
In his testimony during the SRC International trial, lawyer Ranjit Singh, who acted for Ling in the civil suit, confirmed that Ling’s legal team had been served with Najib’s affidavit.
In July 2020, Najib was convicted on seven charges of abuse of power, money laundering and criminal breach of trust over SRC funds amounting to RM42 million. His conviction was upheld by the Court of Appeal on Dec 8 last year.
The court also upheld Najib’s 12-year jail sentence and RM210 million fine.
The hearing continues before a panel chaired by Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat.
The other judges sitting with her are Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim and Federal Court judges Nallini Pathmanathan, Mary Lim and Zabidin Mohamad Diah.
