KUALA LUMPUR (BERNAMA) – Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had signed five cheques for MYR22.6 million in illicit funds involving 1Malaysian Development Berhad (1MDB), the High Court was told yesterday.
Assistant Director of the Money Laundering Criminal Investigation Division, ACP Foo Wei Min, 47, said this was based on the ‘First In, First Out’ (FIFO) investigation method which he used to determine whether the funds in Najib’s account was illicit or clean.
Based on the FIFO analysis, it was found that the five transactions involved funds allegedly obtained from unlawful activities by 1MDBs subsidiary, 1MDB Global Investment Limited (1MDB GIL), he added.
The 48th prosecution witness said this when in his witness statement during the examination in chief by deputy public prosecutor Kamal Baharin Omar in Najib’s trial involving the alleged misappropriation of MYR2.3 billion of 1MDB funds.
He said one of the cheques, for MYR20 million and dated August 2, 2013, was issued to United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), while the one dated August 7, 2013, for MYR100,000, was issued to UMNO Batu Kawan.
The three other cheques were issued to Lim Soong Peng (for MYR246,000 on August 7, 2013), ORB Solutions Sdn Bhd (for MYR2 million on August 12, 2013) and Semarak Konsortium Satu Sdn Bhd (for MYR303,000 on August 14, 2013), he added.
He told the court that UMNO treasurer Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah confirmed receiving the MYR20 million cheque from Najib himself.
Similarly, Datuk Mohd Noor Ahmad, the UMNO Batu Kawan division leader in Penang, confirmed that he received MYR10 million (from Najib) for political purposes in his area,” said Foo, adding that a CIMB officer also confirmed that Lim received MYR246,000 from Najib.
Regarding the MYR2 million for ORB Solutions, Foo said it was received by the company director, Datuk Amhari Efendi Nazaruddin for offering Najib publicity services on social media such and Najib’s blog.
“The money from 1MDB GIL was channelled to ORB Solutions as payment for developing social media online services and also its maintenance fees.
“Based on the FIFO analysis, I identified the MYR2 million as illicit funds from 1MDB GIL,” he said.
He said the Semarak Konsortium owner, Datuk Mohd Omar Mustapha received MYR22 million, for providing media consultancy services to Najib, which included preparing his English language speeches.
Najib, 70, faces four charges of using his position to obtain bribes amounting to MYR2.3 billion belonging to 1MDB and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.
