Najib denies ex-AG Gani was terminated amid rumoured charges against him

(NST) : Datuk Seri Najib Razak today dismissed suggestions that the termination of former Attorney-General (A-G) Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail in 2015 had links to drafts of alleged criminal charges against him and investigations on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MBD).

Under cross-examination by deputy public prosecutor Kamal Baharin Omar, the former prime minister had insisted that Gani was not terminated but instead had his service ended.

“But it was not because of 1MDB. He had certain problems, including health problems,” he testified before Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah.

Kamal Baharin had asked Najib if he remembered somewhere in 2015 when there was a fuss over the prosecution’s alleged charges against him.

To this, Najib said,” I do not remember. But there were rumours. But I did check on it.”

The former Pekan member of parliament said he was aware that the former chief secretary, the late Tan Sri Ali Hamsa had sent the termination letter to Gani.

He denied that the termination was due to him losing trust in Gani.

“It is not right that I lost trust in Gani. Otherwise, I would not have wanted to recommend Gani to be made a federal court judge,” he said.

Najib had said in his witness statement that he wanted to suggest that Gani be made a federal court judge but the latter did not pass the process.

Najib also denied he had ordered the change of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) former chief commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim as well as deputy chief commissioners Datuk Seri Shukri Abdull and Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali.

Kamarul: I say that the change of Abu Kassim was also because MACC was investigating you.

Najib: Disagree.

Kamarul: Do you agree with me when Abu Kassim and Gani were removed, it resulted in a challenge to the role of the task force? (To probe misconduct)

Najib: I disagree. The investigations went on. The task force was not set up in accordance with the rules. In other words, it was illegal. The task force was disbanded. The power to set up a task force is not the job of the A-G.

Najib also disagreed with Kamal Baharin that he had ordered former Bank Negara Malaysia governor Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz to issue a statement saying that the money deposited into his account was not an offence.

“I did not order her and I cannot order her. I had just asked her whether the money deposited could be verified or not,” he said.

Najib faces four charges of using his position to obtain RM2.3 billion in bribes from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.

The trial continues.

Source : Newstraitstimes