KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak told the High Court here today that the yacht vacation he went with his family to Southern France in 2009 was purely a family holiday and there was no hidden agenda behind it.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Najib stated that his family, including his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, his children Nor Ashman Razak, Nooryana Najwa, and Riza Aziz, along with his friend Tan Sri Bustari Yusuf and his children, were part of the vacation. He emphasized that fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, known as Jho Low, was not on board the yacht.
Najib recounted being unexpectedly invited by Saudi Prince Turki bin Abdullah Al-Saud for afternoon tea on the prince’s yacht. He accepted the invitation and upon boarding, met Prince Turki and Tarek Obaid, the chief executive officer of Petrosaudi International Limited. To his surprise, Najib found Jho Low present, which, given Low’s connections with Middle Eastern royalty, was not entirely unexpected.
The former prime minister clarified t
hat the meeting was informal and denied allegations of planning a joint venture between 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and PetroSaudi International Limited to siphon funds. Najib argued that if there had been any ulterior motives, he would not have allowed photographs to be taken during the gathering.
Najib appeared in court to defend against charges of using his position for gratification involving RM2.3 billion from 1MDB funds and 21 money laundering charges. Justice Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah had previously ruled a prima facie case against Najib, requiring him to present his defense on all charges.
The trial is set to continue tomorrow.