KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak's lawyer had a field day grilling a prosecution witness today, even questioning the investigating officer ACP Foo Wei Min about his ability to investigate the global-scale financial scandal involving 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
However, Foo, who is the Police Anti-Money Laundering Criminal Investigation Division assistant director, managed to flawlessly answer all questions throughout the entire proceedings.
Najib's lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, at the outset of the trial, zoomed in on his questions on the 'first in, first out' (FIFO) method used by Foo to determine if millions of ringgit flown into the Najib's bank account are a result of illegal activities.
Foo in his testimony on Oct 12, explained that FIFO tracks the order of funds deposited, focusing on identifying the initial, potentially illicit source of funds.
However, Shafee questioned whether Foo was an accountant, as FIFO is one of the principles in accounting.
In response, Foo admitted that he was not a professional accountant, but his qualifications and experience were more than just using the FIFO method during investigations.
"My courses and experience have equipped me to understand the entire probe, its direction, and both macro and micro details.
"This comes through the courses, my academic background and experiences," said the 48th prosecution witness before presiding judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah.
Foo in his witness statement said he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Economy before furthering his studies to earn a master's degree in Transnational Crime Prevention from the University of Wollongong, Australia.
In 2012, he was also certified as a certified financial investigator by the National Coordination Committee (NCC).
Shafee also contended that money in Najib's bank account was used for political and welfare purposes, and the witness agreed.
"There was no spending individually such as to purchase a yacht," said the senior lawyer.
It was revealed during the trial that several individuals, political figures, and corporate entities had received millions from Najib through several cheques issued from his personal account.
Najib, 70, is facing four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.3 billion from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.
The hearing continues.