Najib’s corruption trials in Malaysia hinge on knowledge of 1MDB funds in his account
- His defence said prosecutors have not shown evidence that the former prime minister had a ‘corrupt intent’ to take the money found in his account
- The case will serve as a key test of Malaysia’s ability to get to the bottom of the 1MDB scandal and bring those responsible to justice
This case, which will soon draw to a close, hinges on whether he knew the US$10 million deposited in his accounts came from a former unit of 1MDB, with his lawyers arguing there is no link between the funds and decisions he took as the country’s leader.
Attorney-General Tommy Thomas said in his closing submissions that Najib had misused his positions as prime minister, finance minister and advisor to SRC International, the former unit of 1MDB, to obtain the funds.
“He could veto meetings, he took all decisions, he was the emperor of the company,” Thomas told the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
He said Najib had exercised “ultimate power” to obtain government guarantees on two loans for SRC totalling 4 billion ringgit, which the prosecutor said was mostly misappropriated.
Najib’s defence said prosecutors have not shown evidence that he had a “corrupt intent” to take the 42 million ringgit (US$10 million) found in his personal account, which was allegedly siphoned from SRC International.
The lawyers also argued there was no link between the sum and Najib’s decisions related to SRC, which they said would mean the funds do not constitute a bribe.