KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak today accused the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) of being used as a political weapon to suppress and eliminate rivals, the High Court heard.
The former prime minister also criticised the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC), alleging that it is pursuing a political agenda rather than upholding truth and justice.
The 70-year-old said this in his witness statement in his defence against all power abuse and money laundering charges involving RM2.3 billion of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) funds.
He made the remarks after his lead counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, said that the anti-graft body had declined to indict former 1MDB chief executive Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi for his role in the company's massive financial debacle.
"It is convenient for the MACC and the prosecution to accept his (Shahrol) explanation wholesale while failing to obtain any explanation from me. Their refusal to consider an explanation from me clearly reflects their predetermined agenda to distort facts and implicate me, which is precisely what they have done in this case. This approach not only undermines justice but also highlights the politically motivated nature of this prosecution. MACC and the prosecution's willingness to ignore Shahrol's complicity and absolve him of accountability while relying on fabricated linkage to me is nothing short of appalling," he said before presiding judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah.
Najib said he believed the MACC was established to combat corruption, but it has become clear that it is now being used as a political tool to silence and eliminate rivals.
"Similarly, I once thought the prosecution's role was to seek justice, yet their actions herein reveal a troubling reality: their true mission appears to be advancing a political agenda rather than upholding the truth and justice," he added.
While testifying, the former Pekan Member of Parliament revealed that the MACC failed to provide him with several important documents deemed as evidence in the case during the recording of his statement by the anti-graft body.
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.