Instead, he told the High Court in Najib Razak’s corruption trial that he was never served with a copy of the lawsuit since it was filed although it was widely reported in the media in May.

Najib’s lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, during cross examination, brought up the issue on the 1MDB lawsuit to the witness.

He pointed out that besides Hazem, others initially named in the civil action were former directors – Che Lodin Wok Kamaruddin, Ismee Ismail, Ong Gim Huat, Ashvin Jethanand Valiram – and former management staff Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi and Azmi Tahir. All had their names dropped too.

The remaining individuals (defendants) in the lawsuit were Najib, Loo Ai Swan, Tang Keng Chee, Geh Choh Heng, Vincent Koh Beng Huat, Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil, Kelvin Tan, and Radhi Mohamad.

In the lawsuit, the government, through 1MDB and its subsidiary companies, claimed that these individuals committed fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of duties, breach of statutory duties and unjust enrichment.

“In fact you were very concerned about the lawsuit, and you approached MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) to say you are giving evidence but then you were sued by the government. Do you agree?” Shafee asked.

Hazem denied the defence’s contention.

Shahrol had previously testified against Najib in the 1MDB trial while Ismee testified in Najib’s RM42 million SRC International case.

To another question if the witness was charged in court for 1MDB related matters, Hazem said he had never faced any charges.

Shafee: Are you aware that Jho Low (Low Taek Jho) controlled individuals, Jasmine (Loo) and Terence (Geh) were charged in absentia in 2018 for criminal breach of trust?

Hazem: Yes.

Najib was slapped with 25 charges of abuse of power and money laundering over alleged 1MDB funds amounting to RM2.28 billion deposited into his AmBank accounts between February 2011 and December 2014.

The hearing continues before High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah tomorrow.