The former secretary-general to two ministries told the audit report tampering trial of former prime minister Najib Razak and ex-1MDB chief executive officer Arul Kanda Kandasamy that she had not lobbied for the position.

Madinah said she also never met Najib for that purpose.

“I recall it was the former auditor-general Ambrin Buang and (former chief secretary to government) Ali Hamsa who suggested my name.

“I was a secretary-general in one of the largest ministries before that and I did very well. That was why my name was recommended to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” she said.

Madinah’s late husband was Umno permanent deputy chairman Rizuan Abdul Hamid. He passed away on May 21, 2021 from Covid-19.

She was the auditor-general from Feb 20, 2017 to Feb 22, 2019. Before her appointment, Madinah served as secretary-general in the education, and science, technology and innovation ministries.

Najib is standing trial for alleged abuse of power as the then prime minister and finance minister to obtain immunity from legal action and causing amendments to the finalised 1MDB audit report before it was tabled at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting.

Arul Kanda is accused of abetting him.

Under cross-examination by Najib’s lawyer Shafee Abdullah on whether she knew her husband had lobbied for her to be the auditor-general, Madinah said she had made it clear to him that he could not interfere with her professional work.

“I have told him that he should not interfere in any way, especially when I was the secretary-general of the two ministries.

“He was a businessman and he was not supposed to conduct business with the two ministries or lobby for anything from the prime minister,” she added.

Madinah also admitted to the court that she knew Rizuan was a “staunch supporter” of Najib.

“I know he would not turn down any request to attend buka puasa or tahlil prayers in the prime minister’s house,” she said.

The hearing continues before judge Zaini Mazlan.