Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah has challenged the prosecution to prove that Datuk Seri Najib Razak had allegedly doctored documents and acted in cahoots with Jho Low to siphon funds from the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
The lawyer for the former prime minister told the press after the 1MDB trial that had adjourned for the day, that he maintains that his client has been “misled” by Jho Low.
“Jho Low has misled many people, the banks, 1MDB, even when 1MDB was TIA,’’ he said referring to the Temasik Investment Authority, an investment arm of Terengganu that was 1MDB’s precursor.
“Our defence is pretty identical [with the SRC trial], that my client has been misled,” he said.
Shafee also challenged the prosecution to prove that Jho Low is Najib’s alter ego.
“To say that my client is the alter ego, I want to see them prove it,’’ he added.
Shafee also stated that his client had “honestly” believed that monies transfers into his personal accounts had come from the Saudi royal family.
“My client believed honestly that it came from the Saudi king because he met the Saudi king and there was that promise of one billion and money did come into his account.
“So that is our defence, we always said that and it’s not a secret,’’ he said.
“Whether the documents were fabricated or not you prove it and even if you prove it you have to prove that I know that it is fabricated.
“I don’t care Jho Low knows, do I know? Only then you can hang me,’’ said Shafee, referring to his client, Najib.
Earlier today, in its opening statement, the prosecution alleged that Jho Low is the alter ego of Najib and that the two men had fabricated documents to show the billions of ringgit channelled into the latter’s account were from an Arab donor.
Earlier reports:
Aug 28, Najib’s 1MDB Trial: Shafee Again Questions Sri Ram’s Appointment
Aug 28, Najib’s 1MDB Trial: Gopal Sri Ram’s Full Opening Statement
Aug 28, Najib’s 1MDB Trial: Prosecution to Show Saudi Donations a Sham
Aug 28, Najib’s 1 MDB Trial: Prosecution to Prove Jho Low Was Najib’s Alter Ego
Aug 28, Najib’s 1MDB Trial Begins