Datuk Seri Najib Razak told the High Court that the RM42 million deposited into his personal bank account was later found to have no connection to a Saudi Arabian donation, although he said he believed it was such a donation at the time it was received.
The former prime minister made the admission during cross-examination by SRC International Sdn Bhd’s lawyer, Kwan Will Sen, in a RM42 million civil suit filed by SRC and its subsidiary, Gandingan Mentari Sdn Bhd.
“At that time, I thought it was a donation from Saudi Arabia,” Najib said.
When asked if he now accepted that the money was unrelated to a Saudi donation, Najib replied: “Based on knowledge obtained later, yes.”
Najib razak
Kwan pressed Najib to acknowledge that the “Saudi donation” defence had been rejected at all levels of court in the SRC International criminal case. Najib agreed, stating that the majority rulings concluded the funds were not from Saudi Arabia.
Najib also accepted that the High Court, in the latest 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) decision, found no documentary evidence supporting his claim that the funds were a Saudi donation.
Lawyer: Najib still believes funds were Saudi donations
Najib’s lead counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, later said media reports had misrepresented his client’s testimony.
He said Najib remains convinced that all funds he received, including the RM42 million linked to the SRC conviction, were donations from Saudi Arabia.
Shafee added that Najib has never had information suggesting the money came from SRC, 1MDB or related entities, and that his belief has remained unchanged.
Mohamed shafee abdullah
According to Shafee, Najib’s agreement in court was based solely on judicial findings in the criminal case and did not reflect his personal belief about the source of the funds.
“He still believes, to this day, that the money he received was a donation from Saudi Arabia,” Shafee said.
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