MACC chief, AG replaced during 1MDB probe, High Court hears

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court was told that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner and the Attorney General were replaced when the investigation into corruption involving 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) took place.

MACC senior officer Nur Aida Ariffin, who is the investigating officer of the probe, testified that there was a change in the two agencies, the MACC and the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC), when Datuk Seri Najib Razak held office as the prime minister.

She said this during a re-examination by Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib at Najib’s RM2.28bil 1MDB trial here on Thursday (May 30).

DPP Ahmad Akram: Was there a change of (MACC) chief commissioner and the AG when the investigation took place?

Nur Aida: Yes, there was.

DPP Ahmad Akram: Regarding the appointment of MACC chief commissioner, does this involve the prime minister?

Nur Aida: Yes, it does.

DPP Ahmad Akram: Regarding the appointment of the AG, does this involve the prime minister?

Nur Aida: Yes, it does.

DPP Ahmad Akram: Who was the prime minister then?

Nur Aida: Datuk Seri Najib.

On Wednesday (MAY 29), Nur Aida testified her investigation showed that the nation’s sovereign wealth fund suffered losses despite pouring money into investments that failed to bring any profit.

During the re-examination, DPP Ahmad Akram asked whether Najib had ever taken any action regarding 1MDB’s financial losses.

“None,” Nur Aida replied.

DPP Ahmad Akram: Who has the power in 1MDB to do firing (of staff) according to the company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association (M&A)?

Nur Aida: Datuk Seri Najib.

DPP Ahmad Akram: Was there anybody in the management team that Najib fired? (Former CEOs) Mohd Hazem Abdul Rahman and Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi, (former general counsel) Jasmine Loo, (former non-executive director) Tan Sri Ismee Ismail and (former chairman) Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salleh… anybody?

Nur Aida: No one.

Najib, 70, is on trial for 25 charges in total – four for abuse of power that allegedly brought him the financial benefit to the tune of RM2.28bil; and 21 for money laundering involving the same amount of money.

The hearing before Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah this afternoon.