KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22 — Ex-prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today conceded in the High Court here that the RM42 million deposited into his personal bank accounts was unrelated to any Saudi donation.
He admitted this under cross-examination by SRC International Sdn Bhd counsel Kwan Will Sen, as part of the RM42 million civil suit filed against him by SRC International and its subsidiary, Gandingan Mentari Sdn Bhd.
Najib: At that particular time, I thought it was a Saudi donation.
Kwan: The truth in your mind — if I can use those words — at this moment, is that the RM42 million has nothing to do with the Saudi donation?
Najib: Based on subsequent knowledge, yes.
Earlier, Kwan had asked Najib to acknowledge that his “Saudi donation” defence had been comprehensively dismissed by courts in the related criminal proceedings.
Kwan: Your defence (Saudi donation) was rejected by all levels of the courts (in the SRC International criminal case). Is that correct?
Najib: Yes, but I have to clarify because I didn’t have the opportunity to do a full explanation at the Federal Court. That’s why in the review, one of the judges — a senior judge — agreed with our position. During the review, he concluded I didn’t get a fair trial.
Kwan: All said and done, the majority finding upheld the conclusion (that the funds were not a Saudi donation). That is correct, isn’t it?
Najib: Yes, unfortunately, yes.
Najib also acknowledged that the High Court, in its recent 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) verdicts, had ruled there was no documentary evidence to support his “Saudi donation” defence.
The 2021 civil suit, filed by SRC International 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 justice Datuk Raja Ahmad Mohzanuddin Shah Raja Mohzan resumes tomorrow.
