KUALA LUMPUR, April 3 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak used cheques issued from his AmPrivate banking account to pay for home renovation projects in addition to contributions to other Barisan Nasional parties, Attorney General (AG) Tommy Thomas said today.
In detailing the charges over money laundering against the former prime minister, Thomas also pointed out that Najib’s credit card was charged US$130,625 (nearly RM533,000) at a designer label Chanel store in Honolulu, Hawaii.
“Evidence will also establish that in December 2014, the Accused’s credit card was charged US$130,625 for expenses made at Chanel, an exclusive fashion store in Honolulu,” said Thomas in his opening speech.
“Evidence will establish that the personal cheques were issued for, among others, payment for renovation works carried out at the Accused’s residence at No.11 Jalan Langgak Duta, Kuala Lumpur, the Accused’s residence in Pekan, Pahang and cheques issued to various Barisan Nasional component political parties.”
Sources had previously divulged those spendings in separate reports by US financial daily Wall Street Journal and local paper New Straits Times.
Thomas earlier said that Najib had issued a total of 15 personal cheques from his AmPrivate banking account totalling an approximate sum of RM10,776,514, following several tranches totalling RM42 million into the account.
Najib is facing one charge of abusing his position, three charges of criminal breach of trust, and another three for money laundering.
Thomas said Najib had positioned himself to receive RM42 million in gratification.
This included passing a special resolution to amend SRC International’s Articles of Association in order to appoint Najib as an adviser emeritus.
“As Advisor Emeritus, the Accused shall advise the Company’s Board on material matters and matters of strategic interest to Malaysia, and that the Board shall give due consideration to and implement any advice of the Advisor Emeritus in the best interest of the Company,” he said in his speech.
