Former SRC International Sdn Bhd chairman Tan Sri Ismee Ismail denied a suggestion by Najib’s lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah that he was forced to implicate Datuk Seri Najib Razak by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Asked if the MACC officers indicated that he (Ismee) had committed and offence when they were questioning him over the SRC International funds, Ismee said: “I don’t think so. If anything it was me who kept asking myself if I had done anything wrong,” he said.
Later, during re-examination by deputy public prosecutor Datuk V. Sithambaram, Ismee said the way SRC International operated was ‘unique’ as the board just follow whatever was instructed by the Prime Minister.
KUALA LUMPUR: One of the main witnesses in Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s corruption and abuse of power trial today denied that he was forced to implicate the former prime minister by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Former SRC International Sdn Bhd chairman Tan Sri Ismee Ismail denied the suggestion by Najib’s lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.
“There was no goading or attempts for you to do that?” he asked Ismee, to which the witness replied in the negative.
Ismee, who was cross examined for the seventh day running by the defence said he had been interrogated by the graft busters at length but they never forced him to do what was suggested by the defence counsel.
Asked if the MACC officers indicated that he (Ismee) had committed and offence when they were questioning him over the SRC International funds, Ismee said: “I don’t think so. If anything it was me who kept asking myself if I had done anything wrong,” he said.
Ismee also revealed that he was also previously questioned about the use of Tabung Haji funds for politically linked activities, and that he had misrepresented information to the Tabung Haji board pertaining of the sale of an oil palm estate in Indonesia in 2012 and 2013.
Ismee was the former CEO of the pilgrim fund.
To a question how he and the others, including the company CEO Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil and three others were appointed to the board of SRC International, Ismee said he did not know.
Asked if he would have joined the company if he had known on hindsight what was going on, Ismee said he would not have accepted the post at all.
Later, during re-examination by deputy public prosecutor Datuk V. Sithambaram, Ismee said the way SRC International operated was ‘unique’ as the board just follow whatever was instructed by the Prime Minister.
To another question on the implications of the board not following directions of the ultimate shareholder which was the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, Ismee said they would either have to step down or face the sack.
Najib, 66, is facing seven charges of criminal breach of trust, abuse of power and money laundering involving RM42 million of SRC International funds.
The Pekan MP was charged with committing the offences between Aug 17, 2011 and Feb 10, 2015.
He faces 20 years’ jail and fine for the offences.
The trial continues.
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