KUALA LUMPUR: The former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) told the High Court here yesterdaythat he did not know about a letter sent by Prince Turki Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak pertaining to a joint venture between 1MDB and PetroSaudi International Ltd (PSI).
Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi said he only saw the letter dated Feb 18, 2011 after he was investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in 2018.
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah who read out the letter among others stated that the “special relationship of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that the distinguished tie between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Malaysia had blown stronger under the Majesty of King Abdullah and your Excellency.
“Through a joint- venture with PSI and 1MDB, they found a new way for the two countries to join forces through commercial enterprise. Your Excellency’s support, and approval of the proposal can further enhance the special relationship between Saudi Arabia and Malaysia. And I look forward to working with your Excellency. The letter was signed by Prince Turki Abdullah”.
Shahrol Azral replied “Correct”.
When cross-examined by Muhammad Shafee whether the ninth prosecution witness knew the relationship between Prince Turki with PSI, the witness replied “Prince Turki is the owner of PSI”.
Muhammad Shafee : Have you seen any document to show that PrinceTurki was the owner of the PSI?
Shahrol Azral : No
Muhammad Shafee : You haven’t come across?
Shahrol Azral : Yes
To another question, the witness however said he did not come across that Prince Turki was the 50 per cent share owner of the services and oil company (PSI).
Najib, 66, faces four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totaling RM2.3 billion from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.
The hearing before Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues today with senior deputy public prosecutor and former Federal Court judge Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram leading the prosecution. — Bernama