Witness on why he didn’t complain to Najib

KUALA LUMPUR: Former 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) chairman Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salleh told the High Court yesterday that he did not complain about irregularities in 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) directly to Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, as it would be like implying that the former prime minister was involved.

The 68-year-old witness was being re-examined by lead prosecutor, Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram in the former premier’s trial over the misappropriation of RM2.3 billion in funds from 1MDB.

Sri Ram asked why at that point of time he did not make a complaint to the Finance Ministry and Najib about his own frustrations over what had happened in 1MDB.

Mohd Bakke said what restrained or discouraged him from doing that was that it would be like making a complaint against the then prime minister.

“Complaining on the loss of sheep to the wolf,” quipped Sri Ram.

Mohd Bakke: “That was the thing, because from the early part of my involvement as a board member, I was already not comfortable.

“I had this feeling of discomfort, especially when I found out that the management had split the remittance, that was the trigger. I felt very uncomfortable about the whole thing.

“And that prompted my resignation. I wanted to resign on the spot, go back to the PM and tell him what had happened and that I had my suspicions about him. I was not comfortable, and that was difficult.”

He also said that Najib had never asked him why he resigned from the company although he had met Najib on many occasions after he left the company.

Sri Ram: “After you resigned, were you satisfied that he (Najib) was aware that you had resigned?”

Mohd Bakke: “Najib never asked me why I resigned. It was business as usual.”

Mohd Bakke was the 1MDB chairman from September 2009 until October 19, 2009 when he resigned to protest the irregularities in 1MDB’s US$1 billion deal.

Najib, 68, is facing four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.3 billion from 1MDB and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.

The trial continues on June 7. – Bernama