Najib intended to shut down 1MDB in 2015: Witness

Edge chairman says he was shown the door after telling former prime minister someone should be held responsible

KUALA LUMPUR: The Edge Media Group chairman told the High Court yesterday that Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak had intended to shut down 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) due to its serious financial debts.

Tan Sri Tong Kooi Ong, 63, said the former premier told him this during a meeting that took place at Najib’s residence in Langgak Duta on March 6, 2015.

The 43rd prosecution witness said this in response to a query by lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee

Abdullah at Najib’s trial involving the misappropriation of RM2.3 billion from 1MDB.

“After I explained to him the hand-written notes and the problem arising (in 1MDB), he told me he would close 1MDB. I then proceeded to say someone should be held accountable.

“From my briefing notes, I clearly showed the US$700 million (RM3.2 billion) was diverted to Good Star Ltd, a company owned by fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho or Jho Low, and he (Low) should be prosecuted.”

Tong added that Najib was quiet when he mentioned Low and he then stood up and opened the door for him, Bernama reported. Muhammad Shafee: Did he (Najib) (say), “Tong, get out”?

Tong: No, he did not ask me to leave. He never said a word.

When asked if every time Tong was in Najib’s house, the former premier had walked him to the door, Tong said that to his recollection, that meeting was the first time the duo were alone in the house.

Muhammad Shafee: I’m just a lawyer. Whenever (I meet with him) he walks me to the door. Maybe you were sensitive to the fact that your briefing didn’t have the kind of expectation, you think he was showing you the door?

Tong: In my mind the gesture was not as you would have described it. I was surprised that he just stood up, walked to the door and opened it ... after I said it (issues in 1MDB) he didn’t say anything, he stood up and opened the door.

The witness however, described Najib as a polite man and claimed he had never been rude to him.

Last week, Tong testified that Najib stood up and went to the door and opened the door for him to leave when he told him that Low had done something wrong and should be investigated and prosecuted.

Najib, 69, is facing four counts of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.3 billion from 1MDB and 21 counts of money laundering involving the same amount.