Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak defended his decision to issue RM2.3 million in cheques from his personal bank account for social media management and speechwriting services in 2013, asserting that the payments were part of his official duties and not for personal interest. Testifying in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) trial, where he faces allegations of misappropriating over RM2 billion in funds funneled into his private accounts, Najib maintained that the money was not illegal but comprised donations from Saudi Arabia.
Najib explained that the payments were necessary to fulfill his responsibilities as prime minister while sparing the government from additional financial burden. The prosecution argued that these expenditures were funded by illegal money originating from 1MDB, but Najib firmly denied the allegations. Deputy Public Prosecutor Kamal Baharin Omar questioned Najib about a RM2 million payment to ORB Solutions Sdn Bhd for managing his social media accounts and RM303,000 paid to Semarak Konsortium Satu Sdn Bhd for crafting his speeches. Najib stated that these services were essential for carrying out his role effectively, particularly in communication with Malaysians and representing the country in international forums.
When asked why government resources were not used for these services, Najib responded that he chose to avoid burdening the government. He elaborated that the communications division of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) was insufficient to meet the extensive needs of social media engagement. ORB Solutions, whose sole client was Najib, provided an additional platform to convey his message as prime minister, which Najib deemed necessary given the limitations of mainstream media in reaching all Malaysians.
Najib also justified the payment to Semarak Konsortium Satu, explaining that it covered the services of individuals who helped craft speeches in English for international forums. He noted that civil servants in the PMO lacked the required linguistic expertise, making external assistance essential. Najib refuted claims that these expenses were personal, stating that they were directly related to his duties as prime minister.
In another instance, Najib addressed a RM246,000 payment to Tan Sri Lim Soon Peng, which was channeled toward managing the “Ah Jib Gor” Facebook page targeted at the Chinese community. Prosecutors suggested that this was for personal image-building, but Najib denied the accusation. He argued that the page was a platform to communicate government policies, emphasizing that social media efforts required more extensive resources than the PMO could provide at the time.
Prosecutors also questioned Najib about other cheques issued from his account, including RM20 million to UMNO and RM100,000 to the party’s Batu Kawan division. Najib dismissed claims that these transactions served his personal political interests, asserting that they were part of his responsibilities as UMNO president and prime minister.
Najib rejected the prosecution's suggestion that these cheques, totaling RM22.649 million, were funded by illegal proceeds from 1MDB. He maintained that the funds in his account were legitimate donations, standing by his argument that the expenditures were aligned with his official duties rather than personal gain. The trial continues to focus on the legality of these funds and Najib’s defense of their use.
Information Source: Malay Mail
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