Najib was responding to ad-hoc prosecutor V Sithambaram’s assertion that the former prime minister was lying when he said about US$1.05 billion that he received from 2011 to 2014 was from the royal family.
Instead, Sithambram told the High Court in Najib’s SRC International corruption trial that the money which came in four tranches were from companies associated with fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, or better known as Jho Low.
Sithambaram: I put it to you, from day one you knew these monies never came from the (Saudi) royal family.
Najib: I disagree. Because some of the money came directly from the Saudi ministry of finance.
Sithambaram: Unfortunately, no member of the Saudi royal family would come to court and confirm this, correct, sir?
Najib: Well, it is difficult to have them come to court.
Sithambaram: I also say it is also convenient for you not to call them to court to maintain your line of story.
Najib: I disagree.
Evidence revealed in court earlier stated that Najib received US$100 million in 2011, US$270 million (in 2012) US$681 million (2013) and US$10 million in 2014.
It was revealed in court earlier that Najib returned US$620 million, out of US$681 million, to the royal family through the Tanore Finance Corporation which the prosecution said was a company linked to Jho Low.
Najib is facing six charges of money laundering and criminal breach of trust in the transfer of RM42 million to his account from SRC International.
He is also accused of abusing his power as prime minister by giving government guarantees on SRC International’s RM4 billion loan from Retirement Fund Incorporated (KWAP).
The prosecution’s case is that the RM42 million came from SRC while Najib’s defence is that the amount he used for himself and to spend on corporate social responsibility programmes was a cash gift from the royal family.
Najib said when he returned the US$620 million to Tanore, he believed that the company was linked to the royal family.
Sithambaram: Did you know then who was the owner of Tanore?
Najib: Not for certain at that time. Now, I know based on what I have read.
Sithambaram: I put it to you that you knew all four tranches of money were from companies associated with Jho Low?
Najib: I disagree.
Najib said he did not check with Prince Faisal Turki Al Saud when he returned the US$620 million.
“I did not do so as Jho Low was in contact with them,” he said.
Hearing before judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali continues.