‘Najib misappropriated SRC money’

Ex-PM had an interest in the case, not Jho Low, MACC officer tells court

KUALA LUMPUR: It was Datuk Seri Najib Razak who was responsible for the misappropriation of money from SRC International Sdn Bhd and not fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, the High Court heard.

Investigating officer Rosli Husain from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) repeatedly said Low, known as Jho Low, “had no interest in the case” during his cross-examination here yesterday.

The 57th witness was answering questions by Najib’s lawyer Harvinderjit Singh.

“Jho Low tiada kepentingan dalam hal ini (Jho Low has no interest in this matter)” was the same answer he gave to several different questions since the proceedings started in the morning.

At one point, Rosli raised his voice when he said Najib was the one who had an interest in the case.

Harvinderjit: The swindling in the case was done by Jho Low and his allies.

Rosli: Disagree. Harvinderjit: I suggest that Najib was not involved in any of the withdrawals of SRC International money.

Rosli: Jho Low had no interest in this case. The one that had interest was Najib.

Earlier, another tense moment broke out when the witness was testifying on how the commission obtained the statement from former SRC International director Datuk Suboh Md Yassin, who had left Malaysia in 2015 at the height of the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal.

“He asked for the MACC’s help for secure accommodation. The commission bore the cost,” Rosli added.

The MACC recorded Suboh’s statement on May 28, 2018, at Pullman Hotel, Putrajaya, a day after he arrived in Malaysia from Indonesia.

Rosli said Suboh was not well when his statement was recorded and the officers had to push him in a wheelchair.

Harvinderjit: According to the procedure, the MACC cannot record a statement from a person who is unwell. Don’t give me these stories.

Rosli: Tuan (sir), do you want to hear my explanation or not? (in a raised voice)

Harvinderjit: Tunggu tuan! (You wait, sir!) Don’t worry, you will have ample time to explain.

To a suggestion, Rosli disagreed that the MACC had pressured Suboh to change his statement to the commission.

“Not at all. I am the investigating officer in the case. I am responsible for this case,” he said.

Najib is facing seven charges, of which three are for criminal breach of trust, one for abuse of power and three for money laundering involving SRC International funds totalling RM42mil.

The hearing continues before Justice Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali today.