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FORMER Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak told the High Court today that he never proposed or provided a list of names for the appointment of directors of SRC International Sdn Bhd.
Najib, 73, said this when answering questions from lawyer Kwan Will Sen representing SRC during cross-examination in a RM42 million civil suit filed by SRC and its subsidiary, Gandingan Mentari Sdn Bhd against him, before Judge Datuk Raja Ahmad Mohzanuddin Shah Raja Mohzan.
He said his role in SRC International Sdn Bhd (SRC) was limited to approval powers and did not manage the affairs of the country's strategic investment company.
The former Pekan MP said he only approved the appointment of board members submitted to him.
Najib, as the sole defendant, said his role in the company was limited to the power to grant approval and veto.
“So, I was not involved in proposing or selecting candidates for the company's board of directors.
“I used the veto power under Article 67 of the SRC Mergers and Acquisitions Act, but I did not initiate the appointment of directors,” said the former UMNO leader.
Najib said he could not present evidence of the appointment to the court and stated that he did not know some of the directors involved personally.
He also said he was not familiar with former SRC director Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil, but rather that the individual was recommended by management based on his qualifications.
Before that, Najib was referred to a letter dated August 1, 2011 showing his approval of the appointment of Tan Sri Ismee Ismail, Datuk Suboh Yassin, Che Abdullah @ Rashidi Che Omar, Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi and Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil as members of the SRC Board of Directors.
Based on a suit filed in 2021, SRC and Gandingan Mentari are requesting that the court declare Najib as the party responsible for the receipt of RM42 million in funds belonging to the company.
SRC International had previously dropped five of its directors from the suit but retained Najib as a defendant.
However, the High Court later allowed Najib to file a third-party notice against them.
The trial continues on Wednesday next week. – January 14, 2026