PUTRAJAYA (Jan 14): Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak told the court on Tuesday that none of the purported 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) funds spent on corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects benefitted him, or boosted his personal image.

Testifying in his defence in the ongoing 1MDB-Tanore trial, Najib testified that he was merely carrying out his official duties in channelling the funds, despite being the then-PM and Umno chief. 

Najib also maintained that the funds were not from the troubled strategic development firm, but were instead donations from the then-Ruler of Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah, and were spent in line with the late-king’s intention. 

During cross-examination on Tuesday, deputy public prosecutor Kamal Baharin Omar focused on the 21 money-laundering charges levelled against Najib, particularly highlighting cheques which the defence claims were issued for CSR purposes for the benefit of the people.

The five cheques, amounting to about RM22.65 million of purported 1MDB money, were issued in August 2013.

This includes RM20 million to Umno, and RM100,000 to Umno Batu Kawan division. RM246,000 was given to an individual named Lim Soon Peng, RM2 million was given to ORB Solutions Sdn Bhd, and RM303,000 to Semarak Konsortium Satu Sdn Bhd.

Kamal put forth a series of questions arguing that the monies spent had boosted Najib’s image and hence, the 71-year-old had personally benefitted from dispersing these monies. 

Kamal: It boosted your imagine as the [then] Umno president who is able to give the aide.

Najib: Disagree.

Kamal then zeroed in on payments made to Lim, ORB Solutions, and Semarak Konsortium, all of which were used to reach a wider audience to communicate policies of the Najib-led government.

The RM246 000 that was given to Lim included funding for AD Network, a company that managed the “Ah Jib Gor” Facebook page. Previously, Najib had said these platforms were to reach the Chinese community, to disseminate information about government initiatives.

Kamal: “Ah Jib Gor” Facebook page, is your Facebook page?

Najib: Yes. It is for critical engagement with the Chinese community.

Kamal: I put it to you that this is linked to your personal interest, as it boosts your image with the Chinese community.

Najib: No. What I did was consistent with the [Arab donation] letters I received.

On the stand, Najib said that he wanted to communicate government policies via social media.

Kamal: The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) can also do this.

Najib: Yes, but we need [to reach out] on many platforms. I was carrying out my duties as the [then] PM, so I wanted to communicate that to the people.

Similarly, Najib said that he had to engage ORB Solution and Semarak Konsortium to reach out through additional platforms, as the “mainstream media” doesn’t communicate government policies and narrative to everyone.

Kamal: The PMO(’s) communication [department] is not sufficient?

Najib: The coverage is not sufficient to reach out to [a wider population].

Semarak Konsortium was hired to write Najib’s speeches in English for an international audience.

Kamal: PMO [can’t cater to this]?

Najib: The [competency] was not as high.

Kamal: Are you saying civil servants’ English level is not good?

Najib: At that time, it was difficult for me to find.

When asked why Najib didn’t just use government funds, Najib simply answered, “I didn’t want to burden the government”.

Kamal also put across to Najib that regardless of what the funds were used for, the source was still illegal. Najib disagreed with this.

In his previous testimony, Najib had also said that as the money was spent for CSR purposes, one could call him a “modern-day Robin Hood”.

The 21 money-laundering charges stem from the third abuse of power charge, where monies were received from Tanore Finance Corp.

According to evidence tendered in court, some of the monies that flowed into Najib’s accounts originated from Tanore, Blackrock Commodities, and Vista Equity, all of which were linked to fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho (Jho Low).

Najib has maintained that he did not know that these were offshore accounts, adding that even if they were, it wouldn’t be a surprise, as “it would be naive to hold the view that the Arab conglomerates would confine their investments only to the Middle East”.

He has also reiterated that these entities were listed in the donation letters, informing him of the incoming flow of monies.

Besides the money-laundering charges, Najib is also facing a total of four abuse of power charges.

The trial before presiding judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues.