Witness: I did not conceal evidence
KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) senior officer denied that she had been instructed to conceal evidence when interrogating Datuk Seri Najib Razak in connection with the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.
Nur Aida Arifin, who was the MACC investigating officer of the case, said she received thousands of documents while conducting investigations into the strategic development company.
She said this had led her to overlook some of those documents when questioning Najib in 2018, resulting in a few gaps in the investigation.
She said this when testifying under cross-examination by Najib’s counsel Wan Azwan Aiman Wan Fakhruddin in the Najib’s corruption trial for misappropriating funds belonging to 1MDB.
Wan Azwan implied this when he cross-examined the witness whether she received instructions from her superior not to refer to an inquiry of an email relating to the KPMG Malaysia audit to Najib.
The email was sent by fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho or Jho Low.
Nur Aida said she might have missed asking Najib about the matter due to the sheer volume of documents her team received.
“Nevertheless, other witnesses in this case have confirmed this. According to them, Najib was aware of what was discussed in that meeting.
“Najib was also given the opportunity to defend himself and provide explanations if he wanted to add anything during the interrogation,” she said.
KPMG’s managing partner Datuk Johan Idris, when testifying in 2022, had informed the court about a “pressure” from Najib when directing the audit firm to close and sign off on 1MDB’s audit in 2013.
Johan was the only representative from KPMG allowed entry into Najib’s house at Langgak Duta here while other staff members were instructed to wait outside.
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. Hearing before presiding judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues.