Former Prime Minister Informs High Court that Saudi King Salman Never Raised Donation Issue During 2017 Meeting
Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak told the High Court that Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz never raised the issue of a “donation” when they met in 2017 following a controversy that arose.
Background
The meeting between Najib and King Salman took place in 2017 amidst a controversy surrounding a large sum of money that was deposited into Najib’s personal bank account. The former Prime Minister faced allegations of misappropriating funds linked to state investment fund 1MDB.
Najib’s Testimony
During his testimony in court, Najib stated that the Saudi King did not mention any donation during their meeting. He clarified that the issue was never raised by King Salman, and the focus of their discussion was on enhancing bilateral relations between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.
Najib’s testimony contradicts the prosecution’s claim that the funds deposited into his account were a donation from the Saudi royal family. The defense has consistently maintained that the money was a personal gift from the Saudi royal family and not linked to any illegal activities.
Legal Proceedings
The trial involving Najib Razak is part of a larger investigation into the alleged embezzlement of billions of dollars from 1MDB. The former Prime Minister faces multiple charges of corruption, money laundering, and abuse of power in connection with the scandal.
The prosecution contends that the funds deposited into Najib’s account were siphoned from 1MDB, while the defense argues that they were legitimate donations from the Saudi royal family. The court proceedings have been closely watched both in Malaysia and internationally due to the high-profile nature of the case.
Implications
Najib’s testimony regarding his meeting with King Salman could have significant implications for the ongoing trial. If the court accepts Najib’s version of events, it could undermine the prosecution’s argument that the funds in question were illicitly obtained.
The defense team is likely to use Najib’s testimony to bolster their case and demonstrate that the former Prime Minister did not engage in any wrongdoing. However, the prosecution is expected to challenge Najib’s account and present evidence to support their allegations of financial misconduct.
Conclusion
The testimony provided by Najib Razak regarding his meeting with Saudi King Salman sheds new light on the controversy surrounding the funds deposited into his account. As the trial continues, further evidence and testimonies will be presented to determine the true nature of the transactions and whether they were linked to illegal activities. The outcome of the trial will have far-reaching implications for Najib, as well as for the broader investigation into the 1MDB scandal.
Source
This article is written in response to original article.
