‘I only told the truth’, ex-1MDB chairman tells court

PUTRAJAYA: The former chairman of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MBD) told the High Court that his testimony as a defence witness for Datuk Seri Najib Razak was only to tell the truth of what transpired in the company during his chairmanship.

Tan Sri Che Lodin Wok Kamaruddin testified that he appeared before the court to tell the truth of “what really happened” during his tenure as chairman.

The 75-year-old served as 1MDB chairman from 2009 to 2016, replacing Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salleh just a day after his predecessor resigned on Oct 19, 2009.

It was said that Mohd Bakke had quit as a protest against the misconduct in 1MDB.

The 12th defence witness was under a re-examination by Najib’s lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah at the RM2.28bil 1MDB trial involving Najib here on Wednesday (March 5).

Muhammad Shafee asked the witness whether he was a proxy or a crony of Najib for him to testify in Najib’s defence.

The witness denied the suggestion.

Muhammad Shafee: Has he ever contacted you directly or through intermediary to discuss 1MDB?

Che Lodin: Not that I recall.

The witness was also asked about Najib’s alleged “top down approach” to direct the board of directors to comply with his (Najib) wishes.

“I don’t agree with that. For example, in the acquisition of Tanjong Energy Holdings Sdn Bhd, the idea was mooted by consultants before it was approved by the shareholder (Najib),” Che Lodin said.

Muhammad Shafee: Tan Sri, with what being the Ramadan month, what you testify the last few days has been the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

Che Lodin: Insya Allah (God willing), I told the truth and nothing but the truth.

The court also heard testimony from former police officer asst comm R. Rajagopal who said that the investigation into 1MDB began after a report was lodged by former Batu Kawan Umno division deputy chief Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan.

Khairuddin lodged the report on Dec 12, 2014.

On Oct 30, last year, Najib was ordered by the High Court to enter his defence on four counts of using his position to obtain RM2.28bil gratification from 1MDB’s funds and 21 counts of money laundering involving the same amount.

The hearing continues before Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah on Monday (March 10).