Kuala lumpur: Former 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi today denied claims that he had struck a deal with the late Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram to testify in favour of the company.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the 56-year-old, testifying as the fourth plaintiff witness in 1MDB's US$5.64 billion civil suit, stated that Sri Ram, who was then the lead prosecutor in 1MDB's criminal trial, did not offer him any incentive to give evidence in favour of 1MDB in exchange for having his name removed from the suit.
He made these statements during cross-examination by counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, who represents former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, the first defendant in the suit. Muhammad Shafee questioned Shahrol Azral about any interactions with Sri Ram, including whether they had lunch together or struck any deals, to which Shahrol Azral responded negatively.
Shahrol Azral also mentioned that he did not inquire with Sri Ram about the reason for testifying in favour of 1MDB while being sued by the company, adding that he was unaware of why 1MDB dropped him from the suit. He disagreed with suggestions that he was comfortable testifying due to any assurances from the prosecution or expectations of legal protection.
He also clarified that he had never sought immunity under Section 132 of the Evidence Act 1950 before providing evidence and dismissed the notion that his testimony was given with the expectation of shielding himself from future legal actions.
The lawsuit, filed by 1MDB and its subsidiaries on May 7, 2021, names several individuals, including Najib, former finance director Terrence Geh Choh Heng, and others, as defendants. The plaintiffs accuse the defendants of breach of trust, statutory duty, abuse of power, and conspiracy to misappropriate funds.
Recently, 1MDB removed its suit against Radhi Mohamad and previously dropped Jasmine Loo Ai Swan from the case, with no liberty to refile. The trial before Judicial Commissioner Mohamad Redzuan Idrus continues tomorrow.