1mdb Ex Minister Says Late Saudi Monarch Najib Like Father And Son

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ADSFormer minister in the prime minister's department (religious affairs) Jamil Khir Baharom testified that this was based on his observation during the two leaders meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Jan 11, 2010.
In backing up Najib's line of defence that he was promised political donation, Jamil testified that he was part of the Malaysian delegation that accompanied the then-premier to Saudi Arabia 15 years ago.
"Aside from what I heard, namely King Abdullah wished to give a personal donation to Najib, I observed the closeness of the two of them during their discussion.
"For example, before they walked to the centre of the Meeting Hall (at the Saudi Royal Palace) for discussion, I observed King Abdullah holding Najib's hand while heading there together.
"I regarded that via the way they walked, talked and interacted, it looked like an interaction between a father and a son," Jamil testified as Najib's defence witness during today's RM2.27 billion 1MDB abuse of power and money laundering trial against the former premier.
Former minister in the prime minister's department (religious affairs) Jamil Khir BaharomNajib contended he has neither knowledge nor involvement in wrongdoing at the troubled Malaysian sovereign wealth fund 1MDB, and that fugitive businessperson Low Taek Jho (Jho Low) and members of its management solely masterminded all embezzlement there.
The chairperson of 1MDB's board of advisers contended he was led to believe that the funds that flowed in and out of his personal bank account were donations from Saudi royalty.
‘Flew to Saudi after Jakim event’
During cross-examination by deputy public prosecutor Kamal Baharin Omar today, Jamil testified that he flew to Saudi Arabia on Jan 11, after attending an Islamic Development Department (Jakim) in Malaysia that same day.
He reiterated that someone at the Jakim event can attest to him not only having attended the event but also wishing the then-minister well on the journey to Saudi Arabia.
Jamil is refuting the prosecution’s contention on whether the former minister was even in Saudi Arabia to witness the alleged private discussion between Najib and King Abdullah.
When Kamal asked how far Jamil was from Najib and King Abdullah when the two world leaders were discussing the alleged donation, the former minister said he was about arm's length from the two men. during the meet between 7pm and 8pm at night.
ADSJamil testified that when Najib and King Abdullah departed from the meeting, the then-prime minister came to the witness and seemed to be “teruja” (excited) and happy with the alleged donation promise by King Abdullah.
The trial resumes tomorrow.
Najib ordered to enter defence
On Oct 30, the criminal court ordered Najib to enter his defence over four abuses of power and 21 money laundering charges involving RM2.27 billion from 1MDB.
Trial judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah ruled that the prosecution succeeded in establishing a prima facie (answerable) case against Najib due to the strength of some 50 witness testimonies.
The former prime minister was first charged in 2018 and the trial started the year after. The prosecution stage of the trial lasted six years.
Between early December last year and late January this year, Najib spent 26 days on the witness stand to attempt to raise reasonable doubt in the prosecution's case.
The accused is serving a six-year jail sentence since August 2022 over a separate criminal case involving abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving RM42 million of funds from SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1MDB.
Later, SRC became wholly owned by MOF Inc, which also fully owned 1MDB.
Defence counsel Shafee Abdullah acted for Najib. - Mkini

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