Bernama reported that Che Lodin Wok Kamaruddin, 75, who served as chairman of 1MDB from 2009 to 2016, stressed that his testimony should not be seen as an indication that he was a crony or proxy of the former prime minister.

The 12th defence witness made this assertion during re-examination by lead counsel Shafee Abdullah at Najib’s trial for allegedly misappropriating RM2.28 billion of 1MDB funds.

Shafee: You have held positions in government. By testifying like this, are you not concerned that such an appointment may not come your way again?

Lodin: As I have mentioned in the earlier part of my testimony, I’m here to tell the truth about what transpired during my tenure as chairman. If any organisation I am associated with finds that unacceptable, it’s fine with me.

He was appointed 1MDB chairman following the resignation of his predecessor Bakke Salleh in late 2009 amid suspicions of Najib’s alleged involvement in wrongdoing at the company.

Lodin was also questioned about Najib’s purported “top-down approach” in directing the board of directors to follow his instructions.

“I disagree with that. For instance, in the acquisition of Tanjong Energy Holdings Sdn Bhd, the idea was initially proposed by consultants, before receiving approval from the shareholder (Najib),” he explained.

Shafee: As we are in the month of Ramadan, can you confirm that everything you have testified to over the past few days is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

Lodin: Insya-Allah, I have spoken the truth and nothing but the truth.

Najib, 71, is on trial on 25 charges of abuse of power and money laundering over funds amounting to RM2.28 billion that were deposited into his AmBank accounts between February 2011 and December 2014.

The hearing before Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues on Monday.