KUALA LUMPUR (July 11): Former Treasury Secretary-General Tan Sri Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah (pictured) will continue to testify in court today as the SRC International Sdn Bhd trial enters its 36th day.
Wan Abdul Aziz is the 45th prosecution witness. This morning will see defence lawyer Harvinderjit Singh continue the cross examination.
Yesterday, Wan Abdul Aziz told the court that he had been directly instructed by former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to expedite the approval process for a RM2 billion loan from the Retirement Fund Incorporated (KWAP) to SRC International.
The witness served as the Treasury Secretary-General from 2007 to 2012 and was also chairman of KWAP during the same period.
During examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Datuk Suhaimi Ibrahim, the witness said it is unusual for KWAP to disburse loans before they are approved.
SRC had initially requested a RM3.95 billion loan from KWAP in 2011. KWAP decided to only approve RM1 billion, citing the original requested amount as an 'overconcentration' of money to just one company in one industry.
The witness had informed the former prime minister of KWAP’s decision to grant a RM1 billion loan to SRC. However he was subsequently called into a private meeting with the former prime minister, of which the latter stated specifically for RM2 billion to be a sufficient amount, instead of RM1 billion.
Najib also told the witness to expedite the loan approval process to allow for early disbursement, which would then be followed by a government guarantee.
SRC subsequently made an application for another RM2 billion loan in 2012.
Najib faces multiple counts of criminal breach of trust, money laundering and abuse of power, involving a total of RM42 million SRC funds.
He is alleged to have received RM27 million and RM5 million on Dec 26, 2014, and another RM10 million on Feb 10, 2015.
Wan Abdul Aziz is continuing his testimony today.
The Edge is bringing the trial involving Malaysia’s former highest-ranking politician who led the country for nine years live.