Former minister Jamil Khir Baharom told the High Court he personally overheard a Saudi donation pledge to Najib Razak in 2010.
KUALA LUMPUR: A former federal minister testified that he personally overheard a pledge of a financial donation from the late Saudi monarch to former prime minister Najib Razak.
Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, 64, told the High Court he heard the matter during an informal meeting between Najib and the late King Abdullah Abdul Aziz Al-Saud in Riyadh on Jan 11, 2010.
He said he was present alongside the King’s interpreter, former foreign minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, and former ambassador to Saudi Arabia Prof Datuk Syed Omar Al-Saggaf.
Jamil Khir stated that Najib gestured for him to join as he and the King walked together.
“I followed and stood slightly behind him, but close enough to hear the conversation and its translation,” he said in his witness statement.
He said the confidential discussion touched on a financial contribution from King Abdullah to Najib.
“If I am not mistaken, King Abdullah also mentioned that the funds would be sent shortly after the meeting and channelled into Datuk Seri Najib’s personal account for certain reasons,” he testified.
Jamil Khir said he understood the personal account was chosen to facilitate political affairs and avoid complications with transfers to a political entity.
He gave this testimony during examination-in-chief by lawyer Muhammad Farhan Muhammad Shafee, representing Najib.
The former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) was testifying in a RM42 million civil suit filed by SRC International Sdn Bhd and Gandingan Mentari Sdn Bhd against Najib.
He said he assumed the alleged contribution was given because Saudi Arabia admired Malaysia’s practice of moderate Islam.
Jamil Khir believed the donation was due to Malaysia’s firm stance against Syiah ideology.
During cross-examination, however, he agreed this view was merely his personal opinion.
Lawyer Kwan Will Sen, representing SRC International, led the cross-examination.
The civil suit was filed in 2021 and seeks a declaration that Najib is liable for the RM42 million.
It also claims damages for knowing receipt, dishonest assistance, misfeasance in public office and abuse of power.
The trial before Judge Datuk Raja Ahmad Mohzanuddin Shah Raja Mohzan will resume on March 2.