DEBUNKED

Najib’s SRC Trial: Day 87

March 5, 2020

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Submission on admissibility of 1MDB-linked recordings on Monday.

2.35pm: Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak enters the dock as proceedings before Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali begins.

2.37pm: MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya enters the witness stand to testify as a defence witness.

2.45pm: Latheefa testifies that on Jan 3, her deputy Azam Baki informed her that he had received a package from his special officer.

The package contained nine pen drives, which would later reveal to have contained audio recordings of Najib and several others.

She says the audio recordings were shared with the public and the media about a week later.

“The purpose was to share with the public and the media and reveal the content in which it involved. It contains a very serious matter of public interest.

“It reveals conversation which represents members of government, constitution, such as MACC, AGC, PMO were involved in conspiring to cover up certain investigations against persons who we believe hold one of the highest offices in the country,” she says when questioned by lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.

2.58pm: The 1MDB-linked audio recordings of conversations allegedly involving Najib is very clear, Latheefa testifies.

During examination-in-chief by Shafee, the subpoenaed defence witness testifies this in regard to the audio recordings.

“On Monday Jan 6, we (MACC) met in the morning to discuss the recording. I was told the audio recordings had various dates involving various personalities.

“We played the audio recordings and found out the content of the recordings discussed files involving certain personalities.

“My deputy head of Amla (in MACC) Zamry and a few of my (MACC) officers were able to recognise the identities of persons speaking (in the audio recordings).

“It was clear recordings. We could identify what they talked about, who they were and the context of the conversation.

“Based on the contents, they (MACC) could confirm it is authentic,” Latheefa says.

3pm: Latheefa says authorities are still investigating the authenticity of the tape said to have contained the voice of Najib and several others.

Shafee: Until now, is there any process to authenticate?

Latheefa: We had handed over the recording to the police and they are still investigating. I think they have handed over to the cybersecurity. MACC is also investigating, opened files under Section 23, on due process. Ongoing.

Earlier, Latheefa said she and other MACC officers ascertained that the voice in the audio belonged to Najib, based on the voice in the recording.

3.12pm: Latheefa testifies that in certain situations that involve public interest, the anti-graft watchdog may make public-related recordings.

She is answering a question from Shafee on whether she had considered the admissibility in court the 1MDB-linked audio recordings of conversations allegedly involving Najib and several other personalities.

Shafee is asking this in relation to the MACC going public with the audio recordings on Jan 8.

“There is no such requirement when it involves public interest. This is not the first time when it involves public interests we share with the public.

“If a (MACC) investigating team stumbles on millions of cash, photos would be shared with the public, before the money is sent to be marked for investigation, that is the same context,” Latheefa says.

She then cites the Sabah water department corruption investigation, where millions of ringgit were found. She cites the director in that case being identified, among others.

3.20pm: Shafee presses Latheefa to determine if the leaked audio recording is a product of interception.

“No. I wouldn’t say whether we know this is an interception or not. It could be anything, it’s a recording,” she says.

Earlier, Shafee suggested that the content in the audio recording cannot be used or revealed as evidence and can only be used for intelligence purposes.

3.40pm: Latheefa testifies that what’s in the content of the 1MDB-linked audio recordings of conversations allegedly involving Najib is more important than finding out if the recordings were illegally obtained or intercepted.

“The nature of the content is more important. Whether it’s illegal or intercepted, it (the media conference) has to be done.

“So, the public knows, never again, AG or PMO could get involved in such offences such as revealing secret information, tamper or fabricate evidence for the purpose to avoid being prosecuted,” she testifies.

Latheefa also says that there’s nothing illegal in revealing the audio recording to the public.

3.55pm: The Kuala Lumpur High Court fixes Monday to hear further submission on the admissibility of 1MDB-linked audio recordings of purported conversations of Najib and several other personalities.

On Monday next week, Latheefa is expected to continue her testimony as a subpoenaed defence witness.

Earlier reports:

Mar 4, Najib’s SRC Trial: Day 86

Mar 3, Najib’s SRC Trial: Day 85

Mar 2, Najib’s SRC Trial: Day 84

Feb 27, Najib’s SRC Trial: Day 83

Feb 26, Najib’s SRC Trial: Day 82

Feb 24, Najib’s SRC Trial: Day 81

Feb 17, Najib’s SRC Trial: Day 80

Feb 13, Najib’s SRC Trial: Day 79

Feb 13, Anifah Says Improper for Najib to Buy Channel Watch with Saudi Donation

Feb 11, Najib’s SRC Trial: Day 78