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FORMER Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak testified that he had never met or personally known Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil, the former chief executive officer of SRC International, despite having authorised him to manage two bank accounts in Najib’s name.
Speaking in the civil suit filed by SRC International and its subsidiary Gandingan Mentari Sdn Bhd, Najib explained that the appointment of Nik Faisal in 2011 as an authorised signatory was based on a strong recommendation from his late principal private secretary, Datuk Azlin Alias, and Nik Faisal’s professional qualifications as an accountant.
“Nik Faisal was appointed on the advice of my principal private secretary and due to his professional credentials. I did not know him personally,” Najib told the High Court today during cross-examination by lawyer Kwan Will Sen, representing the company.
Najib stressed that the two Ambank accounts were not intended for personal use but were set up to receive contributions for corporate social responsibility activities.
“The accounts were not personal in the sense that I used them for personal matters. They were in my name, but the purpose was to receive contributions to carry out CSR,” he said.
He conceded, however, that this intention was never documented in writing nor formally communicated to the bank.
“The intention was not stated in writing, but in my own understanding, the funds received were to be channelled to CSR activities,” he added.
The former Pekan member of parliament also said he did not personally draft the letter appointing Nik Faisal as the authorised signatory and had never anticipated that any disputes would arise from the arrangement.
The civil suit, filed in 2021, seeks among other remedies a declaration that Najib is responsible for the receipt of RM42 million, along with claims for damages over allegations of knowing receipt of funds, dishonest assistance, misfeasance in public office, and abuse of power.
During previous proceedings, the court heard that the RM42 million, intended for CSR projects, had been transferred into Najib’s two personal Ambank accounts.
Former Yayasan Rakyat 1Malaysia chief executive officer Ung Su Ling testified that she only learned the accounts belonged to Najib through media reports during the SRC criminal trial and was unaware that the funds originated from SRC when she followed instructions from the late Azlin to facilitate transfers from Ihsan Perdana Sdn Bhd.
The trial before High Court judge Datuk Raja Ahmad Mohzanuddin Shah Raja Mohzan is set to resume tomorrow. - January 21, 2026