He said he was aware that the misappropriation of 1MDB’s funds was a topic heavily debated by the public, both here and outside of Malaysia.

“They (the public) tried to link it (the misappropriation of 1MDB funds) to me (but the RM2.6 billion donation) had nothing to do with 1MDB.

“I couldn’t control the rumours,” he said under cross-examination by deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib.

Najib also told the court he was first taken to the sessions court to face four abuse of power and 21 money laundering charges on Sept 20, 2018.

He said the charges were read to him but he could not recall whether they were read out in Bahasa Malaysia.

He said he denied the charges and maintained his “not guilty” plea when the case was transferred to the High Court.

Asked by Akram whether “1MDB” was stated in the charges, Najib confirmed it was mentioned but disputed the context in which it was used.

Najib: I don’t understand (the context).

Akram: We are not asking you about the context. I will do that later. I just want to know whether “1MDB” appeared in the charges.

Najib is standing trial on 25 charges of abuse of power and money laundering over funds amounting to RM2.28 billion which were deposited into his AmBank accounts between February 2011 and December 2014.

The hearing before Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues tomorrow.