Sithambaram turns on the heat against Najib

By Sharanjit Singh, Farah Solhi January 7, 2020 @ 6:57pm

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak today washed his hands off SRC International Bhd affairs, insisting he was not responsible for whatever happened in the company which has left the government saddled with debts to the tune of RM9.3 billion.

The former prime minister and finance minister also pleaded ignorance about how SRC International funds ended in his personal accounts even though he admitted spending the money freely.

He maintained that he was never informed about the source of RM42 million which was deposited into his account in December 2014 and February 2015.

However, Najib’s attempt to distance himself from the SRC International fiasco only saw lead prosecutor Datuk V Sithambaram winding him up even more with tough questions which left the accused red faced on many occasions.

There were several tense moments as Sithambaram turned on the heat with tough questions in a raised voice whenever Najib resorted to denying any knowledge of things by saying “I don’t know” or “I disagree”.

Today’s proceedings started with the deputy public prosecutor (DPP) again questioning Najib about his signatures on SRC International documents but the latter maintained that they could have been forged.

An exasperated Sithambaram eventually cornered Najib by asking him who could have manipulated and forged his signature considering he was the “ultimate boss”.

The 66-year old Pekan member of parliament eventually responded by saying he didn’t know.

“That is not a fair question.”

Najib also denied any knowledge of SRC International investing most of the RM4 billion loan it obtained from the Retirement Fund Inc (KWAP) overseas.

He said the decision was taken entirely by the management of the company.

He disagreed that he had rushed the approval of government guarantees for SRC International to obtain the loan.

When pushed why he did not enquire about what was happening to SRC International money as the company had nothing to show until he left office in May 2018, Najib kept saying that this was because he had faith in the management.

However, when Sithambaram told him the entire establishment of SRC International was nothing but a scam and that Najib should have resigned because the company had lost billions, Najib attempted to highlight how the country had also lost billions before his administration took over.

“I disagree that I should have resigned. The country lost RM31 billion in foreign exchange trading (Forex) before me, nothing happened.”

Upon hearing Najib’s response, Sithambaram retorted by saying “So, are you saying that you too must lose RM31 billion just because it happened before?”

Najib attempted to say something in response but Sithambaram just cut him off by saying “we don’t need a political speech here.”

Asked why he did not return the money to SRC International after he became aware it originated from the company, Najib said it was because investigations were still ongoing.

“I wanted to see the outcome of the investigation,” he said, prompting Sithambaram to respond by saying: “You wanted to see the outcome…well this is the outcome.”

Later when asked on a notation he had made on an application by SRC International for the RM4 billion loan from KWAP, Najib disputed his “bersetuju” (agree) remark on the application was a directive.

He said it was still subject to discretion by those involved.

There was another tense exchange when Sithambaram chided Najib for blaming everyone but himself in the SRC International fiasco.

Najib disagreed by saying that this was just Sithambaram’s opinion but the lead prosecutor retorted by saying: “Any layman can see this, you are blaming everyone else but yourself.

“Whenever I hear your answer, I have to say that ignorance is not a bliss in this case.”

The trial before High Court Judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali continues.

Najib is facing seven counts of criminal breach of trust, abuse of power and money laundering involving RM42 million of SRC International funds.

He is charged with committing the offences between Aug 17, 2011, and Feb 10, 2015.

He faces 20 years' jail and fine for the offences, if convicted.