Witness: In 2013, Najib had RM1.9b in one bank account

NAJIB TRIAL | The balance for one of Najib Abdul Razak's several bank accounts with AmIslamic Bank peaked at RM1.9 billion in 2013, the Kuala Lumpur High Court heard today.

This was confirmed by witness R Uma Devi, the bank's Jalan Raja Chulan branch manager while under cross-examination by Najib's counsel, Harvinderjit Singh.

Prior to this, Harvinderjit had walked Uma Devi through several transactions including the procedures required in reporting large transactions to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).

It was revealed that the balance of the said bank account had amounted to RM756 million in 2012.

Uma (above) also testified that approximately RM304 million was deposited into the account in 2011 by the Saudi finance ministry.

Harvinderjit: My question is, are these transactions from an account named Ministry of Finance, Riyadh?

Uma Devi: Yes.

Harvinderjit: I don't think any account can have that amount of transactions without compliance from BNM looking?

Uma Devi: Yes.

Harvinderjit: (Your) reporting (obligation is) regardless of the identity of the holder?

Uma Devi: Yes.

Earlier, Harvinderjit had asked Uma Devi to verify a correspondence from Najib to the bank dated July 30, 2013, in which the former prime minister stated his intention to "return US$620 million" from his bank account.

"Do you agree that it appears the bank had acknowledged this amount of money credited in the account was a donation and gift, and (that there was) representation to the bank in 2013, ‘I am returning the unutilised portion back’?" Harvinderjit asked, adding that this implied the money was returned to the sender.

Uma Devi agreed. 

Najib misled by wording of 7 SRC charges, says defence

SRC trial set to expose a lot of people, says Shafee

Witness: Najib authorised SRC's Nik Faisal to manage his AmBank accounts

Najib's confidant used law firm to receive RM2.5m, reveals witness