Putrajaya – Datuk Seri Najib Razak told the High Court that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent comments “confirm” his assertion that the prosecution against him in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) case was “Hasty and flawed.”
During the RM2.28 billion 1MDB corruption trial at the Palace of Justice on Tuesday (Jan 7), the former prime minister was asked what he thought of Anwar's remarks about flaws in prosecutorial procedures.
“For six years I have argued that these proceedings exemplified rushed and flawed prosecutions.
“The charges against me relate to actions taken during my tenure as Prime Minister and Finance Minister, which were carried out as part of my official functions in accordance with professional advice and established governance protocols.
“These official actions have been wrongly characterized as having criminal intent, which I categorically deny,” he said.
Testifying in court, Najib said he offered “glaring procedural flaws” that were consistent with Anwar's remarks about prosecuting high-profile figures.
The statement was issued by Anwar on December 21, in which he described several high-profile prosecutions in 2018 as “malicious and hostile”.
During Tuesday's proceedings, Najib compared Anwar's statements to his own case.
“Anwar also highlighted systemic flaws in the prosecution process, which resonate deeply with my concerns about selective accountability in my case,” he said.
Najib said key figures such as former chief executive Datuk Shaharul Azrael Ibrahim Halmi and former general counsel Loo Kar-min were not charged and were instead called to testify.
On December 21 last year, Anwar said in an exclusive interview with the editor-in-chief that some of the cases prosecuted after the 14th general election were hastily carried out and were politically retaliatory.
“At the time, the prosecution was rushed and fraught with viciousness, hostility and political vindictiveness from those in power,” he said.
The prime minister did not specify at the time which leaders were responsible.
Anwar responded to questions about judicial independence after Datin Seri Rosmah was acquitted on money laundering and tax evasion charges in December.
On October 30, the High Court ordered Najib to plead to four counts of using his position to obtain RM2.28 billion from 1MDB funds and 21 counts of money laundering involving the same amount.
The hearing will continue on Wednesday (January 8) before Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah.
