Datuk Seri Najib Razak acknowledged in court that he personally reached out to the United Arab Emirates’ then Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed Zayed Al-Nahyan in 2016, requesting assistance to clear his stepson Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz of allegations linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal. This admission came after prosecutors presented transcripts of two audio recordings purportedly capturing conversations between Najib and the crown prince.
The transcripts revealed that Najib sought to arrange a loan agreement that would portray funds received by Riza for film production as legitimate financing. Najib admitted to making this request, stating it was based on assurances Riza had received from Aabar Investments and the crown prince himself. He emphasized that Riza believed the funds were proper contributions facilitated by these parties and had no knowledge of any improprieties.
The transcripts also referred to the US Department of Justice’s (DoJ) filing of a forfeiture suit in July 2016 to recover assets allegedly acquired using misappropriated 1MDB funds. Najib acknowledged awareness of the suit and his concerns about Riza being implicated. He explained that the loan arrangement was meant to alleviate the pressure on Riza, who wanted to repay the money promptly to resolve the situation.
During the proceedings, Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib argued that Najib must have known the origin of the funds received by Riza. However, Najib firmly denied this, stating that he only became aware of possible irregularities after related exposés emerged. He reiterated that Riza had acted in good faith, relying on assurances that the funds were legitimate and properly sourced.
The prosecution pressed further, suggesting Najib’s efforts to arrange the agreement indicated prior knowledge of the funds’ true origins. Najib rejected these claims, maintaining that his stepson was innocent and had been unfairly implicated. He insisted his actions were driven by a desire to ensure clarity and protect Riza from being scapegoated.
Najib also addressed the authenticity of the audio recordings. While he could not confirm the full accuracy of the transcripts, he acknowledged the voices were most likely his and the crown prince’s. He also noted that the conversations could potentially clear him of wrongdoing in the broader context of the 1MDB scandal.
The trial, which has drawn widespread attention both locally and internationally, continues to scrutinize Najib’s involvement in the 1MDB affair. The revelations and Najib’s defense highlight the intricate web of relationships and allegations surrounding the case.
Information Source: Malay Mail
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