Kuala lumpur: The High Court was informed today that Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak failed to produce the alleged donor of RM2.3 billion to substantiate his claim that the funds were ‘donations’ from Saudi Arabia. In his opening remarks for the prosecution’s submissions, deputy public prosecutor Datuk Ahmad Akram Gharib contended that Najib’s sworn testimony provided no credible explanation on the matter. Instead, the former prime minister stated he had “believed” the monies were donations.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the prosecutor submitted that Najib relied solely on four purported donation letters, without producing the donor, any authentic documentation, or a corroborating witness. He argued that the accused had presented nothing more than a narrative already adjudicated by the High Court and Court of Appeal, affirmed by the Apex Court in the SRC International Sdn Bhd case, to be “unbelievable,” “difficult to sustain,” “untenable” and a “fabrication.”
The prosecutor emphasized that the evidence showed Najib had a direct personal interest in the decisions made by 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and benefited personally through funds traced to his personal bank accounts. The attempt by Najib to distance himself from operational decisions was contradicted by evidence of direct intervention. Ahmad Akram asserted that the prosecution’s case remained unshaken, cogent, and consistent, while Najib’s evidence was evasive, self-serving, and riddled with contradictions.
He further submitted that the prosecution’s evidence, both oral and documentary, remained unchallenged, with witness testimonies consistent and corroborated. Ahmad Akram highlighted that the defence’s narrative was implausible and unsupported by evidence, with the accused’s explanations failing to withstand scrutiny against the contemporaneous record. This was evidenced by the timing and pattern of fund inflows corresponding with 1MDB transactions, as well as communications involving fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low, of which Najib was aware and from which he derived personal benefit.
The prosecutor added that there was no credible corroboration for the alleged Arab donation, arguing that Najib showed a complete departure from the due diligence expected of someone in his positions upon receiving such substantial funds. He submitted that Najib’s version did not raise reasonable doubt and reinforced the prosecution’s narrative of deliberate abuse of power for personal gain.
The prosecution argued that all elements under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 were proven beyond a reasonable doubt, with the presumption under Section 23(2) remaining unrebutted. It was submitted that Najib’s evidence was wholly unreliable and incapable of raising reasonable doubt, warranting a conviction.
During the morning session, the court heard submissions from Najib’s lead counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, concluding a seven-day hearing. Najib’s defence concluded its case on May 6 after calling 26 witnesses, with the court setting nine days starting Oct 21 for oral submissions. Najib, 72, faces 25 charges, including four counts of abusing his position to accept RM2.3 billion in bribes from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount. He is currently serving his sentence in Kajang Prison for the misappropriation of RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd. The proceedings before Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah resume tomorrow.