Datuk Seri Najib Razak told the High Court that only fools would believe he would jeopardise his 40-year political career for a US$20 million kickback, the High Court heard today.
The former prime minister said this in his witness statement in his defence against all power abuse and money laundering charges involving RM2.3 billion of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) funds.
Najib said the contention raised by the prosecution was nothing more than a desperate move to implicate him in the global-scale financial debacle.
The former Pekan member of parliament claimed that the real masterminds behind the financial scandal remain at large.
He accused fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, and former PetroSaudi International Ltd (PSI) chief executive Tarek Obaid of siphoning hundreds of millions from 1MDB funds to acquire properties, jewellery and other luxury items.
“The prosecution is alleging that, as prime minister and finance minister, I would jeopardise my 40-year political career and reputation for US$9,999,877 on two separate occasions.
“This is a desperate allegation that only fools would believe,” he said before presiding judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah.
Najib said the prosecution’s narrative was flawed and failed to explain why two Saudi princes — Prince Faisal Turki Al-Saud and Prince Saud Abdulaziz Al-Saud — would supposedly pay him bribes.
“The prosecution’s narrative is wrong because it does not clarify the alleged interests of these two princes in bribing me.
“That said, the narrative paints me as the most ‘selfless and generous conspirator’ in history,” he said.
Najib claimed the prosecution’s case implied he allowed others to enrich themselves while he received a small portion years later, highlighting that Low allegedly received US$547 million, Tarek Obaid US$120 million, and PSI director Patrick Mahoney US$33 million.
“This claim is absurd and defies logic. The truth is clear and supported by the Swiss court’s findings, which conclusively identified Obaid, Mahoney, and Low as the individuals responsible for misappropriating these funds,” he added.
Najib, 70, is facing four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.3 billion from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.
Earlier, Najib said it was absurd to suggest that family and friends would be present during a meeting to plot siphoning billions from 1MDB.
He said the meeting between him, two Saudi nationals and Low was an informal afternoon tea on board a yacht at the invitation of Prince Turki.
Najib said he was with his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, his children Nor Ashman Razak and Nooryana Najwa, and stepson Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz (Riza Aziz) on a private family vacation in southern France in 2009.
“Apart from my family, my friend Tan Sri Bustari Yusuf and his children also joined us.
“You can immediately visualise from my group membership that it was meant to be a private holiday to begin with,” he said in his witness statement yesterday.
Najib, under an examination-in-chief by his lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, said he was pretty surprised when he received the invitation from Prince Turki for him and his family to join high tea on board the RM Elegance yacht.
“Prince Turki was the favourite son of King Abdullah, the reigning King of Saudi Arabia at the time. I graciously accepted the invitation.
“When we boarded the yacht, we were greeted by Prince Turki and a gentleman who introduced himself as Tarek Obaid (Petrosaudi International Ltd chief executive officer) and upon entering the living room, Jho Low was there,” said Najib.
Najib, however, said it was not surprising for him to see Low as he was known for his well-established connections with Middle Eastern royalty.
“It was the first time I met both Prince Turki and Tarek Obaid. The idea that we could have been discussing some sinister plan is not only ridiculous but entirely unfounded,” he said.
Had there been a hidden agenda or nefarious intent, Najib said he would not have allowed photographs to be taken showing them together.
He said it was misleading and unfair for individuals not part of the meeting to speculate and draw adverse inferences to serve the prosecution’s narrative against him.
The hearing continues today before Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah.