The trial judge in Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s RM2.3 billion 1MDB corruption case has rejected the former prime minister’s defence that the funds were a political donation from the Saudi royal family, ruling that the claim was without merit.
Delivering his judgment, former High Court judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah, who has since been elevated to the Federal Court, said the defence was unsustainable as the monies were deposited directly into Najib’s personal bank accounts.
Justice Sequerah noted there was no evidence that the alleged donation had been formally acknowledged by the government, any political party, or Najib himself. No receipts were issued, and there was no official record, minute, or documentation linking the purported donor to any legitimate political activity.
He also pointed out that the alleged donation letter from the Arab donor was addressed to Najib’s private residence rather than to any official government or party address, further undermining the credibility of the claim.
The judge said it was untenable that such a substantial sum could be deposited into a personal account without proper and transparent accounting, especially given that Najib was the leader of Umno, Malaysia’s largest and long-established political party.
“It is inconceivable that a person in the position of Prime Minister would not maintain proper accounting records for an organised political party supposedly receiving such significant sums,” Justice Sequerah said.
He further stressed that even if the funds had been intended as a political donation, this would not legitimise their receipt or use if the source of the money was illegal. The court emphasised that the legality of the source, rather than the claimed purpose, was the critical factor.
“In light of this, the accused’s contention that the monies received were meant for political donations is untenable,” the judge ruled.
At press time, Justice Sequerah was still reading his judgment and indicated that he would require about three more hours to complete it. Proceedings were adjourned for Friday prayers and will resume at 3pm.
Najib, 72, faces four charges of abusing his position to obtain RM2.3 billion in bribes from 1MDB funds through an AmIslamic Bank Berhad branch between February 2011 and December 2014. The charges were brought under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of either five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher.
He also faces 21 additional charges of money laundering, allegedly committed between March and August 2013 under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, which carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to RM5 million, or both.
