Najib responsible for transactions in his personal accounts - banker

1MDB Trial | A bank branch manager testified that Najib Abdul Razak authorised mandate holder Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil to transfer millions of ringgit between 2011 and 2013.

R Uma Devi (above), who managed the AmBank branch at Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur, told the Kuala Lumpur High Court that this was akin to the former prime minister being responsible for the transactions, as though it was carried out by himself.

The 37th prosecution witness was testifying during today’s RM2.28 billion 1MDB corruption trial against the former finance minister.

During examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Najwa Bistamam, Uma said Najib issued letters to the commercial bank to inform Nik Faisal was appointed as the authorised personnel for the accounts ending with 694, 481, 880, 898, and 906.

Among the letters is one dated Aug 26, 2013, by Najib addressed to the bank branch manager then (before Uma) that informed Nik Faisal was made authorised personnel for the accounts AmPrivate Banking-1MY (880), AmPrivate Banking Banking-Y1MY (898), and Amprivate Banking-MY (906).

“This letter (Aug 26, 2013) also confirmed Najib was responsible for these transactions as though it was issued by himself,” Uma told trial judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah.

She said that in regards to the 694 and 481 accounts - opened on Jan 17 and 18, 2011, and both closed on Aug 30, 2013 - the bank was informed Nik Faisal was the authorised personnel via Najib’s letter dated March 10, 2011.

Uma explained this meant that the mandate appointment shall be effective immediately unless there was a notice from the customer to terminate the appointment, otherwise, the appointment shall remain.

She testified that via a letter from Najib, as well as a transfer form and account statement, the bank had effected a transfer of RM150 million from his 694 account to his 880 account on Aug 27, 2013.

According to Uma, the 880, 898, and 906 accounts were opened on July 31, 2013, and were closed on March 9, 2015.

She said that upon closing the 694 and 481 accounts, the remaining balance of RM12,436,711.87 was transferred to the 880 account on Aug 30, 2013.

Uma also testified that RM60,629,839.43 was transferred into the 694 account in two separate tranches, on Feb 24, 2011, and June 14, 2011.

She said this was attested by documentation printed out from a computer at AmBank’s Jalan Raja Chulan branch.

Trial to resume on Monday

In the prosecution’s opening statement at the beginning of the trial on Aug 28, 2019, lead deputy public prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram contended that Najib received RM60,629,839.43 of funds diverted from 1MDB into the then premier’s personal account between Feb 24 and June 14, 2011.

The prosecution claimed the funds were partly from the US$700 million (RM3.1 billion) meant for 1MDB’s joint venture with Petrosaudi International Limited (PSI) - that was diverted into Seychelles-based Good Star Limited, an entity allegedly linked to fugitive businessperson Low Taek Jho (Jho Low).

Proceedings before Sequerah will resume on Monday next week.

Najib was represented by Wan Aizuddin Wan Mohammed, among other defence counsel.

Najib is on trial for four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering involving RM2.28 billion from 1MDB.

The Pekan MP was alleged to have committed four counts of corruption at AmIslamic Bank Berhad’s Jalan Raja Chulan branch in Bukit Ceylon, Kuala Lumpur, between Feb 24, 2011, and Dec 19, 2014.

On the 21 money laundering charges, Najib is purported to have committed the offences at the same bank between March 22, 2013, and Aug 30, 2013.

The prosecution contended that the wrongdoing at 1MDB was carried out by Low and several others, with Najib’s blessings.

The accused’s defence team, however, claimed that the ex-prime minister had no knowledge of the crime perpetrated at 1MDB and the embezzlement was solely masterminded by Low and other members of the fund’s management.

Uma also testified for the prosecution in a separate criminal trial against Najib involving RM42 million of funds from SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of 1MDB.

Both 1MDB and SRC International are fully owned by the Minister of Finance Incorporated (MOF Inc).

Najib also used to be the chairperson of 1MDB’s board of advisers and served as adviser emeritus to SRC International.

The Pekan MP is currently serving a 12-year jail sentence, after the Federal Court on Aug 23 dismissed his appeal against the SRC International conviction over seven criminal charges, as well as the custodial term and RM210 million fine in lieu of an additional five years in jail.

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