PUTRAJAYA (Dec 26): Presiding judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah said on Friday that former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was no “country bumpkin”, citing Najib’s “impeccable family and political pedigree” and “superior background” in rejecting claims that Najib had been misled by the management of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
Reading his written judgement for the 1MDB-Tanore criminal trial, Sequerah referred to advice and warnings given to Najib by The Edge Media Group Chairman Tan Sri Tong Kooi Ong regarding fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho’s (Jho Low) alleged pilfering of 1MDB funds. Najib had rejected Tong’s advice.
Sequerah said any attempt to portray Najib as ignorant of wrongdoing surrounding 1MDB “failed miserably”, given Najib’s background and the warnings he had received.
The judge also noted that Najib had not lodged any reports with law enforcement authorities regarding the alleged embezzlement of 1MDB funds.
“Such an omission can only reasonably be construed as an act of condonation on the part of the accused, who at material time wielded considerable powers as both finance minister, chairman of the Board of Advisors, and prime minister.
“The accused is no country bumpkin; but was possessed of not only an impeccable family and political pedigree, but of superior intelligence, given his academic background and his previous experience in politics, and in the administration not only regionally but also on a national level.
“Any attempt to paint the accused as an ignoramus or as hopelessly unaware of the misdeeds going on around him must therefore fail miserably,” the judge said.
Sequerah also pointed to the disbandment of a special task force set up to investigate 1MDB and deposits into Najib’s personal accounts in July 2015, as well as the removal of key figures involved in the investigations.
According to the judge, these actions demonstrated efforts by Najib to consolidate and protect his interests.
No verdict has yet been delivered on the more than two dozen charges faced by Najib, 72. Proceedings broke for Friday prayers shortly after noon and were scheduled to resume after 3pm.
Najib has consistently denied any wrongdoing and may appeal any guilty verdict.
Among the key figures removed by the Najib administration were the then-deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, and the then-attorney general Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, while the then-Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed resigned.
The judgement continues.
The Edge is covering the trial live here.
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