KUALA LUMPUR: The chairman of The Edge Media Group today told the High Court here that Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had intended to shut down 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) due to its serious financial debts.
Tan Sri Tong Kooi Ong, 63, said the former premier told him this during a meeting that took place at Najib's residence in Langgak Duta, here, on March 6, 2015.
The 43rd prosecution witness said this when queried by lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah at Najib's trial involving the misappropriation of RM2.3 billion from 1MDB.
"After I explained to him the hand-written notes and the problem arising (in 1MDB), he told me he would close 1MDB. I then proceeded to say that someone should be held (accountable).
"From my briefing note, I clearly showed that the US$700 million was diverted to Good Star Ltd, a company owned by fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho or Jho Low and he (Jho Low) should be prosecuted," said Tong.
Tong said Najib was quiet when he mentioned Jho Low and he then stood up and opened the door for him.
Muhammad Shafee: Did he (Najib) ask you, "Tong, get out"?
Tong: No, he did not ask me to leave. He never said a word.
When asked if every time Tong was in Najib's house, the former premier had walked him to the door, Tong said that to his recollection, that meeting was the first time the duo were alone in the house.
Muhammad Shafee: I'm just a mere lawyer. Whenever, (I meet with him) he walks me to the door. Maybe you were sensitive to the fact that your briefing didn't have the kind of expectation, you think he was showing you the door?
Tong: In my mind the gesture was not what you would have described it. I was surprised that he just stood up, walked to the door and opened it...after I said it (issues in 1MDB) he didn't say anything, he stood up and opened the door, that was the totally of it.
The witness however, described Najib as a polite man and claimed he had never been rude to him.
Last week, Tong testified that Najib stood up and went to the door and opened the door for him to leave when he told him that Jho Low had done something wrong and should be investigated and prosecuted.
Najib, 69, 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.
The trial before Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues tomorrow.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Mon Nov 21 2022
The chairman of The Edge Media Group today told the High Court here that Najib Razak had intended to shut down 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) due to its serious financial debts. - Astro AWANI/Filepic
88 badan pensijilan halal luar negara dapat pengiktirafan JAKIM
Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM) telah memberikan pengiktirafan kepada 88 badan pensijilan halal luar negara setakat Mei tahun ini.
eWarga Emas bentuk sistem penyampaian perkhidmatan berkesan, bersepadu - Noraini
Portal sistem warga emas (eWarga Emas) dibangunkan bagi membentuk sistem penyampaian perkhidmatan warga emas yang berkesan dan bersepadu.
MITRA lulus lebih RM95 juta untuk 11 program masyarakat India
Kesemua program yang dalam pelaksanaan itu memberi tumpuan kepada usaha memperkasakan sosioekonomi komuniti India dalam negara.
Kestabilan sosiopolitik Sabah bolehkan agihan ekonomi saksama - Juhar
Smber daya, kekayaan alam semula jadi dan potensi ekonomi dalam masyarakat dapat dibahagi dengan cara memberi peluang sama kepada rakyat.
Kenanga jangka OPR stabil 3.0 peratus pada 2025
Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd menjangka Kadar Dasar Semalaman (OPR) kekal stabil pada 3.0 peratus sepanjang 2025.
Johor sasar jumlah ternakan cecah 200,000 ekor pada 2027
Johor menyasarkan jumlah ternakan di negeri ini mencapai hingga 200,000 ekor pada 2027 setelah berjaya mencapai jumlah pengeluaran ternakan sebanyak 152,000 ekor hingga bulan lepas.
Hargai warga emas melalui penjagaan, hormat dan penglibatan - Lee Lam Thye
Lee Lam Thye menekankan keperluan mendesak untuk menghargai warga emas melalui penjagaan, hormat, dan penglibatan yang lebih baik.
Malaysia perlu bersedia penuhi keperluan TBB yang semakin meningkat - Fadillah
Keperluan tenaga boleh baharu (TBB) di negara ini semakin meningkat seiring dengan keyakinan pelabur asing khususnya untuk mewujudkan pusat-pusat data.
Belanjawan 2025: Kesalinghubungan internet di sekolah, kampus jadi keutamaan - Fahmi
Fahmi berkata ia termasuk isu Internet di kawasan terpencil, pedalaman dan pulau-pulau dalam memastikan akses Internet berkelajuan tinggi lebih meluas.
Pelajar tahfiz perlu teroka bidang teknologi
Kira-kira 200,000 pelajar tahfiz di negara ini, perlu dipastikan untuk mempunyai kemampuan dan peluang menjadi tenaga penggerak kepada umat Islam Malaysia dalam meneroka bidang yang dahulu dilihat sebagai asing., tegas Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.