KUALA LUMPUR (June 21): A former speechwriter for Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak testified at the 1Malaysia Development Bhd-Tanore (1MDB-Tanore) trial that he had received more than RM22 million from the former prime minister for writing speeches in English.
During the 1MDB-Tanore trial on Wednesday (June 21), Datuk Omar Mustapha, 51, said that his company, Semarak Konsortium Satu Sdn Bhd, only served Najib, rendering speechwriting and international media relations services from 2011 to 2014.
Omar, who is the 45th prosecution witness in the trial, testified that he saw an opportunity in 2010 to work for Najib after APCO Worldwide — the global PR (public relations) firm which was handling similar work for Najib as then PM — came under scrutiny when the Opposition brought up in Parliament that he (Najib) had paid them RM76.8 million a year.
“The payment was made by the government for APCO’s PR services from July 2009 till June 2010,” Omar said.
“The public relations side is with respect to international media. There is a lot of need for an incoming prime minister, especially one who is active on the international stage. He (Najib) was very active in meeting international leaders, writers and think tanks,” Omar said.
The witness added that the contract with APCO was subsequently discontinued.
Omar then said that he had got in touch with APCO’s CEO in Malaysia, Paul Stadlen, to ask him (Stadlen) to join Semarak Konsortium and he (Stadlen) agreed.
“Paul’s role was to help smoothen out these interactions,” Omar said.
The witness said that in March 2011, he had met with Najib at his office and pitched his company’s services to the former PM.
“I offered my services on a reimbursable basis, where at the end of every month, I would claim for work done, factoring in profit margins,” Omar said.
He said that the payment was based on a verbal agreement between him and Najib, as they wanted to prevent their deal from being politicised.
Upon cross-examination from Najib’s lawyer Tan Sri Shafee Abdullah, Omar said that the total charges for the services were claimed by him from Najib personally, adding that the amount was “absolutely reasonable”.
Omar said that he received 39 cheques from March 3, 2011 to April 23, 2014 for his services rendered.
“Every month for three years, I went to his (Najib’s) office to receive a cheque. I didn’t receive bags of cash,” the witness said.
He added that there were no questions or red flags raised by the bank over these cheques. Najib signed the cheques in front of him (Omar) and handed them over personally.
When asked by the prosecution, Omar replied that he did not know the source of the funds he was receiving.
After his testimony, Omar was released from the witness stand.
The trial before judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues with Tan Sri Irwan Serigar Abdullah taking the stand.
The Edge is covering the trial live here.
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