PUTRAJAYA: The biggest beneficiary of the RM2.28bil misappropriated from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) was Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the High Court heard.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Ahmad Akram Gharib, in his submissions, said Najib’s defence had argued that individuals linked to 1MDB benefitted from the financial scandal – particularly former 1MDB chief executive officer Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi, former general counsel Jasmine Loo and Najib’s former special officer Datuk Amhari Efendi Nazaruddin – while Najib did not enrich himself.
The prosecution contended that other prosecution witnesses had also testified against Najib, which could not be said about these individuals.
He questioned what benefits could have been obtained by former 1MDB chief executive officer Mohd Hazem Abd Rahman, former chief financial officer Azmi Tahir, former non-executive director Tan Sri Ismee Ismail and former chairman Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salleh.
“The prosecution witnesses, in particular PW9 (Shahrol Azral), PW8 (Amhari), PW10 (Mohd Hazem), PW12 (Azmi), PW13 (Ismee) and PW50 (Loo), were all the accused’s subordinates.
“The ultimate power then was always the accused.
“Will the witnesses dare to go against the sitting prime minister who was also the finance minister and chair of the board of advisors of the company, making him the most powerful person in both the company and the country?” DPP Ahmad Akram said.
He further submitted that, on the other hand, evidence showed Najib did not take action against fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, despite repeated warnings and multiple red flags.
“Therefore, based on all the points submitted herein, it is our respectful submission that the credibility of the prosecution’s witnesses remains intact throughout this trial.
“On the contrary, it is our respectful submission that the accused is the biggest beneficiary in this matter.
“He gets to retain power and maintain his position not only in the country but also in the political party he was heading. He received none other than power,” DPP Ahmad Akram said.
Najib faces four counts of using his position to obtain RM2.28bil gratification from 1MDB’s funds and 21 counts of money laundering involving the same amount.
The abuse of power offences were allegedly committed at an AmIslamic Bank Bhd branch in Jalan Raja Chulan, Bukit Ceylon between Feb 24, 2011, and Dec 19, 2014.
Meanwhile, the money laundering offences were allegedly committed at the same location between March 22 and Aug 30, 2013.
Najib is currently serving his prison sentence since Aug 23, 2022, after being convicted in a separate criminal trial over the misappropriation of RM42mil from SRC International Sdn Bhd.
The hearing continues before Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah on Thursday.
