Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak acknowledged before the High Court on January 22, 2026 that RM42 million deposited into his personal bank accounts was not linked to any donation from the Saudi royal family, marking a clear departure from his earlier position. The admission was made during cross-examination in a civil lawsuit initiated by SRC International Sdn Bhd and its subsidiary, Gandingan Mentari Sdn Bhd, which are seeking to recover funds they allege were misappropriated.
During proceedings, Najib accepted that his understanding of the source of the funds had changed over time. He explained that while he had previously believed the money originated from a Saudi donor, later information led him to conclude that this was not the case. The concession followed sustained questioning by SRC’s counsel, who sought confirmation on whether Najib still stood by his earlier claim regarding the donation.
The court was reminded that Najib’s Saudi donation defence had already been rejected in earlier criminal proceedings related to SRC International. Under questioning, Najib agreed that courts at multiple levels had dismissed the explanation. Although he maintained that he had not been able to fully present his case at the Federal Court stage, he accepted that the majority ruling had ultimately upheld the finding that the funds were not a donation.
Further examination drew attention to similar conclusions reached in Najib’s separate 1MDB criminal trial. In that case, the High Court found that there was no documentary evidence to support the claim that the money originated from Saudi sources. Najib confirmed that such findings had been made, while noting that an appeal against the decision was ongoing.
The civil suit is part of continued efforts by SRC International and its subsidiary to reclaim RM42 million they allege was wrongfully taken from company funds. The case adds another legal dimension to Najib’s long-running court battles stemming from financial scandals linked to his tenure as prime minister.
Najib, who is 72, has been incarcerated since August 23, 2022 following his conviction over the SRC case. His original sentence of 12 years’ imprisonment and a RM210 million fine was reduced in January 29, 2024, after the Federal Territories Pardons Board halved the jail term to six years and lowered the fine to RM50 million. Despite this reduction, his legal troubles deepened when, on December 26, 2025, the High Court sentenced him to an additional 15 years in prison and imposed a fine of RM11.387 billion after finding him guilty in the 1MDB case. That sentence is set to begin after he completes his current term.
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