Explosive evidence but Najib is presumed innocent

Explosive evidence has come to light in the SRC International trial but fallen Prime Minister Najib Razak remains innocent until proven guilty.

The CEO of SRC International, a powerful man who handled the financials and administrative affairs of the company, had ordered key prosecution witness former SRC International Sdn Bhd director Suboh Md Yassin to sign three request letters for a fund transfer totalling RM50 million involving the company and two of its subsidiaries.

The witness said he signed the documents on the orders of Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil (the CEO), one of the many people on the run in the 1MDB affair.

But Najib’s lead lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah believes the testimonies of the key prosecution witness Suboh Md Yassin is the answer to prove that Najib is innocent.

Suboh, it appears, changed his testimony several times saying he believed someone forged his signature on some documents.

Najib’s team of lawyers believe this suffices to prove to the court how Najib is not the man behind the whole siphoning of millions from the company.

The prosecution alleged the transfer of funds involved millions of ringgit from SRC to its two subsidiaries Gandingan Mentari Sdn Bhd and Ihsan Perdana Sdn Bhd.

Last month, the High Court also heard that all decisions made by SRC International Sdn Bhd’s board came from the company’s ultimate shareholder, represented by Najib.

Former SRC International chairman Ismee Ismail was testifying in Najib Razak’s corruption and abuse of power trial.

Ismee also said SRC International’s constitution said the prime minister (Najib) appoints and removes SRC International board members.

No amendment to the constitution is possible without the prime minister’s approval, and the advice of the prime minister – who is also SRC International adviser emeritus – must be taken into account.

After denials and rejection of facts and reports – including the multiple cases by the US Department of Justice relating to the 1MDB scandal – Najib’s strategy now rests on a key prosecution witness.

The defense team is also putting hope that it will focus its arguments on Nik Faisal who is now the man to blame, saying the latter did not work alone or on his own.

Najib’s thinking is simplistic, and he directs them to the concerns of his crowd of followers.

Judging by recent events, Najib feels he has massive support because thousands turned up at open houses, forcing the organisers to order more food because of the unexpected turnout when people heard the ex-PM was present.

Living in the eternal vision of a great beloved leader, Najib has set his sights on freedom post SRC and 1MDB trials. He is already planning his return to active politics, possibly to lead the Umno.

Lead defence attorney Muhammad Shafee Abdullah says the former SRC International director’ testimony is valuable to the defence and it does not matter if the witness changes his stand later on.