KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak told the High Court today that he never set foot in the AmIslamic Bank branch near Jalan Raja Chulan.
The former prime minister made this statement in his defence against charges of power abuse related to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) financial scandal.
According to the charge, between Feb. 24, 2011, and June 14, 2011, Najib, in his capacity as prime minister, finance minister, and chairman of the 1MDB advisory board, allegedly used his position for personal gain, totaling RM60,629,839.43, at AmIslamic Bank Bhd's Jalan Raja Chulan branch.
"I have never set foot at AmIslamic Bank, Jalan Raja Chulan Kuala Lumpur between Feb 24, 2011 and June 14, 2011, nor have I ever been there at any other material times in relation to the entire 1MDB or SRC International episodes.
"I was never asked or prompted to explain about the alleged use of position for gratification at Amislamic Bank when the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)'s investigated.
"I first heard about it when the charge was read to me upon being brought to court.
"I was so puzzled that I had to inquire from my lawyers about this allegation while the charges were being read to me," he said.
Najib, 71, faces 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.