Lawyer Shafee Abdullah refuted reports published yesterday claiming Najib Abdul Razak knew the money deposited into his bank account was not from Saudi Arabia.

At a press conference after the former prime minister’s trial today, Shafee emphasised that his client continues to maintain that the RM42 million deposited into his personal bank account was a donation from a Saudi monarch.

“He (Najib) answered based on the court’s decision (regarding the earlier criminal proceedings), but based on his own knowledge, he continues to believe that all the money he received - not just the RM42 million - came from Saudi Arabia.

“He never said that he had abandoned this belief,” the lawyer said as reported by Bernama.

Meanwhile, Najib told the Kuala Lumpur High Court that he never obstructed investigations by the authorities involving the 1MDB and SRC International cases.

He said this during re-examination by Shafee in the RM42 million civil suit filed by SRC and its subsidiary, Gandingan Mentari, against him.

Najib Abdul Razak

Shafee: Now, it is important in this context to consider how the issues involving both 1MDB and SRC became public, or rather, matters of public concern.

You remained as prime minister for the next three years until May 9, 2018. Is that correct? During the period after these matters became public, were there investigations pertaining to them?

Najib: Yes.

Shafee: During that period, did you at any time stop or obstruct those investigations?

Najib: No.

The 2021 civil suit, filed by SRC and Gandingan Mentari, seeks a declaration that Najib is liable for the RM42 million, as well as damages for knowing receipt, dishonest assistance, misfeasance in public office, and abuse of power.

The hearing before judge Raja Ahmad Mohzanuddin Shah Raja Mohzan will continue on Feb 9.

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