PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the prosecution clashed in the High Court today over allegations of a "secret bailout mission" involving his former aide, Datuk Amhari Efendi Nazaruddin, and a trip to China to secure assistance for the struggling 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib argued that Amhari's trip to China, orchestrated by fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho (Jho Low), was part of Najib's efforts to involve China in settling 1MDB's billions in debts.
In response, Najib vehemently denied the allegations, saying that Amhari's trip was to meet Chinese state-owned enterprise businessmen interested in investing in Malaysian projects, not to seek bailout assistance.
Testifying in the same trial, Amhari said that Najib and Low planned to involve Chinese government-linked companies (GLCs) in taking on 1MDB and SRC International's debts.
He added that Jho Low had attended his meeting with the Chinese GLC facilitator, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission.
During cross-examination, Ahmad Akram pressed Najib, pointing out that he failed to identify the specific Chinese businessmen Amhari was meant to meet.
The former Pekan member of Parliament responded that Amhari was tasked with finding them.
Ahmad Akram: I put it to you, Datuk Seri, that you wanted China to settle the debts (1MDB and SRC International).
Najib: No. It is impossible. There is no mechanism or instruction from me. Case closed lah. There is no evidence. The case is closed.
Meanwhile, Najib admitted to sending Amhari to Abu Dhabi to resolve the dispute between 1MDB and International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) after the China visit.
He said that he preferred sending someone from his office, whom he trusted, rather than 1MDB's top management.
The former finance minister said he wanted to resolve the dispute outside of the International Arbitration Court (IAC).
He said Mubadala Investment Co's chief executive officer Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, also requested that the issue be settled at the prime ministerial level.
Ahmad Akram: Did he (Amhari) meet Khaldoon in Abu Dhabi?
Najib: Yes. He met Khaldoon to settle the dispute between 1MDB and IPIC.
Ahmad Akram: What is his (Amhari's) position in 1MDB?
Najib: He has no position. He represented me to resolve the issue between 1MDB and IPIC.
Ahmad Akram: Why didn't you instruct the 1MDB board of directors to go there?
Najib: Because the crown prince (Khaldoon) wanted the negotiation at the prime ministerial level to solve the issue.
Ahmad Akram: The crown prince requested Amhari?
Najib: No. I wanted someone from my office whom I could trust. I trusted Amhari at that time.
The prosecution also suggested that Amhari's trip to Abu Dhabi was for Najib's personal interests, which Najib denied.
Najib faces four charges of using his position to obtain RM2.3 billion in bribes from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.
The trial before presiding Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues.