Najib: I did not interfere with probe into 1MDB

KUALA LUMPUR - Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak says he did not interfere with the investigations relating to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

The Prime Minister said he held the position of chairman of the board of advisers of 1MDB and had announced that the Auditor-General would carry out an audit of 1MDB.

However, he was not responsible for the appointment of the Special Task Force overseeing the matter.

Najib said he did not exercise control on ministers, the police, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission officers who followed relevant laws in carrying out their duties.

Besides that, he said he had not exercised any control over the powers and duties of the Attorney-General, who on Jan 26 found that no criminal offence was committed by him in relation to SRC International and the alleged RM2.6bil donation.

Najib said Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali and the MACC had also denied the existence of the alleged criminal charge sheets against him which were mentioned in a Sarawak Report posting.

He said this in his defence against a suit filed by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and two others for alleged misfeasance in public office.

Dr Mahathir, former Batu Kawan Umno division vice-chief Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan and former Langkawi Wanita Umno member Anina Saadudin, among others, want Najib to pay RM42mil (S$13.87million) in aggravated damages to the Government.

In addition, Najib, in his defence statement dated June 13 made available to the media yesterday, said he had not interfered with the due process of the law or used his position as a public officer to influence various ministries and government departments which were carrying out investigations against him into the alleged impropriety or misconduct.

"The defendant will further contend that he has not abused his position as the Prime Minister, Finance Minister, Barisan Nasional chairman and Umno president to further the alleged corrupt practices," he said.

In asking the claim to be dismissed with costs, Najib said the plaintiffs had not suffered any personal losses.

He said the claim for payment of exemplary and aggravated damages was directed to the Government which was not a party to the suit.

When contacted, Najib's lawyer Datuk Mohd Hafarizam Harun said he had served a copy of the defence to the plaintiffs' lawyer on Monday.

High Court judge Justice Abu Bakar Jais had set June 23 to hear an application by Dr Mahathir and two others for leave to cross-examine Najib on the content of his affidavit filed in support of an application to strike out the suit.