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During the High Court proceedings in former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's trial for allegedly misappropriating RM2.27 billion from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), the court heard that Najib took various measures to obstruct the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) between 2015 and 2016.
Testifying as the 49th prosecution witness, MACC Senior Superintendent Nur Aida Arifin detailed the obstacles faced by the MACC. Under cross-examination, she explained that the actions included changing the MACC chief commissioner, issuing transfer orders, arresting officers, and not honoring Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) requests by the attorney general, leading to the case being classified as "No Further Action" (NFA).
Nur Aida's testimony was interrupted by Najib’s lawyer, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, who challenged her assertions, calling them incorrect assumptions. When asked who classified the case as NFA, Nur Aida named Tan Sri Apandi Ali, the attorney general at the time.
Throughout her investigation, Nur Aida interrogated Najib’s former special officer, Datuk Amhari Efendi Nazaruddin, who testified that he received notes from fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low. These notes contained instructions for "damage control" after the 1MDB scandal surfaced. Amhari confirmed the existence of these notes during his 2019 testimony.
The notes reportedly included directives to close the case and dismiss the MLA requests sought by the MACC. When Shafee asked if she had direct evidence that Apandi acted under Najib’s orders, Nur Aida admitted she did not. However, she maintained that her conclusions were based on comprehensive investigations, witness statements, and documents.
In January 2016, Apandi cleared Najib of any criminal activity related to the RM2.6 billion in 1MDB-linked funds and RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd that entered Najib’s personal accounts. Apandi, who had replaced Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail as attorney general, stated that he had thoroughly reviewed the MACC's submissions and ordered the cases closed.
Nur Aida also testified that the appointment of Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad as the MACC chief commissioner in 2016, replacing Tan Sri Abu Kassim, effectively ended the investigation into Najib’s alleged fund misappropriation. She interpreted this leadership change as a move to shield Najib from further scrutiny.
Najib's 1MDB trial, overseen by Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah, is set to continue on May 29.
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