PUTRAJAYA: The questioning by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was a follow up to a statement on SRC International that he had provided in 2015, said former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun RazakDatuk Seri Najib Tun Razak left the MACC headquarters after four-and-a-half hours of questioning, and spoke to reporters after his statement was recorded.He told reporters that this was a continuation of a statement on SRC International which he had provided to MACC in 2015.“My statement today is a continuation of that statement, accompanied by documents and details that the authorities needed."I had my statement recorded from 10am to 2.15pm with a 30-minute break,” he said before leaving.Najib also thanked the team of MACC investigators who took down his statement.“They were very professional. A large part of my statement has already been recorded and will continue on Thursday,” he said.
PUTRAJAYA (May 22): Newly appointed MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull today revealed that he agreed to lead the anti-graft agency to attend to "unfinished business" when he left as deputy chief there two years ago.
Speaking at a media briefing at MACC headquarters today, Shukri said he came out of retirement to complete the investigations relating to SRC International Sdn Bhd and the RM2.6 billion allegedly channelled into the bank account of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
"It was one of the worst cases I've dealt with. They were too big to protect [from being exposed].
"At the time, either we (Shukri and former MACC chief Tan Sri Abu Kassim) take action or action was going to be taken on us, if you know what I mean," said Shukri, who was MACC deputy chief commissioner at the height of the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal involving SRC International and Najib.
Shukri went on to share challenges MACC officers faced during the course of the investigations, including threats of being fired, early retirement, transfer to other departments, and ultimately arrests and death threats.
"Our witnesses were brought away. At times other agencies will question them on what they revealed to the MACC," said Shukri.
During the investigation, Shukri left to the US following speculation that he would be arrested for conspiring to take down the ruling government, after Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail was terminated as Attorney-General at the time.
There he sought protection from the NYPD for about a week after he was followed by certain individuals.
"I told a senior officer in MACC to tell the then-IGP to send a better spy, because my team was following him [instead of] him following me," he said.
Shukri said upon his return to Malaysia, he and Kassim split up to meet with ministers and to explain to them that the RM2.6 billion case was not a hoax but a real case.
"Only three ministers listened — Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and [former deputy finance minister] Datuk Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah," he added.
He also revealed that they have both met with the Conference of Rulers twice to assist on the progress of the investigation but were left "disappointed".
Additionally, Shukri also told of "an MP from the North" who paid him a visit twice to persuade him to cease all MACC investigations on both cases.
It is widely believed that Shukri was referring to Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, the member of parliament for Baling, Kedah who also serves as chairman of pilgrim fund Lembaga Tabung Haji.
The straw that broke the camel's back, however, said Shukri, was when former MACC chief Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad, who was previously also a deputy public prosecutor (DPP) got involved in the investigation.
"A DPP is supposed to find more information to strengthen a case, not to protect the subject of investigation. That was when I decided to retire early," he said.
"I didn't reveal all this before because I did not want my staff to be demoralised," he said, adding that no police report was lodged on uncertainty towards a thorough follow-up by the police.
Najib was asked to come to the MACC headquarters here today to have his statement recorded on the SRC International case.
SRC International was created in 2011 by Najib's government to pursue overseas investments in energy resources, and was a unit of 1MDB until it was moved to the finance ministry in 2012.
Meanwhile, the RM2.6 billion case involving Najib's bank account will be investigated by Council of Eminent Persons' 1MDB task force, of which MACC is also a member.
The monies were allegedly siphoned from 1MDB, a claim that Najib has since denied.
Additionally, Shukri emphasised that MACC's findings on the cases are "almost identical" to the report issued by US Department of Justice.
KUALA LUMPUR – Peguam kepada bekas Perdana Menteri, Datuk Harpal Singh Drewal menarik diri daripada mewakili Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak hari ini.
Harpal mengesahkan perkara itu ketika dihubungi selepas meninggalkan kediaman Najib di Langgak Duta, Taman Duta di sini pada 10.40 malam ini.
Harpal berkata seorang lagi peguam, M. Athimulan turut menarik diri untuk mewakili bekas Perdana Menteri itu.
Katanya keputusan itu diambil selepas Najib mengambil keputusan menggunakan khidmat bekas Peguamcara Negara II, Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden dan enam lagi rakan guamnya.
“Kami tidak dipecat, tapi kami menarik diri selepas perbincangan pada malam ini,” katanya ketika dihubungi di sini malam ini.
Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) mengarahkan Najib supaya hadir di ibu pejabat SPRM Putrajaya esok (Selasa) untuk membantu siasatan berhubung kes SRC International Sdn. Bhd.
Timbalan Ketua Pesuruhjaya (Operasi) SPRM, Datuk Seri Azam Baki dilaporkan berkata pihaknya telah menyerahkan notis kepada Najib untuk hadir ke ibu pejabat suruhanjaya itu pada 10 pagi untuk dirakam keterangan.
Beliau berkata setakat ini, SPRM hanya memanggil Najib sahaja dan belum membuat keputusan memanggil mana-mana individu lain.
SRC International ialah anak syarikat 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), sehingga ia diletakkan di bawah Kementerian Kewangan pada 2012.
Jumaat lepas, sepasukan pegawai SPRM berkunjung ke rumah Najib di Taman Duta di sini untuk menghantar notis meminta Anggota Parlimen Pekan itu hadir ke pejabat SPRM untuk memberi keterangan bagi membantu siasatan kes berkenaan.
Tinjauan Bernama mendapati kediaman Najib terus menjadi tumpuan kira-kira 50 pengamal media yang menunggu perkembangan terkini selain orang ramai yang mengambil peluang untuk bergambar di laluan masuk ke kediaman itu yang dikawal polis.
Seramai kira-kira 15 pelajar Pusat Tahfiz Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah dari Kampung Datuk Keramat di sini turut memasuki kediaman Najib pada 10.50 malam ini. – BERNAMA
Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull revealed that he was blackamiled and almost got fired while probing the SRC International case. — Picture by Azneal Ishak
PUTRAJAYA, May 22 — New Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner today revealed the challenges he had to endure while probing SRC International Sdn Bhd.
“There was even a point I was threatened to get fired for investigating the case,” said Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull, during a tell-all session to the press since he took office yesterday.
He then explained he was followed all the way to the United States by a personnel from former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s administration in July that year.
Mohd Shukri explained that during that period, tensions were high back home, as then Attorney General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail had just been relieved of his duties by ex-PM Najib.
Mohd Shukri headed to the United States to seek for a temporary safe haven, but said he still felt unsafe despite being there.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Datuk Sri Mohd Shukri Abdull reacts during a press conference at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya May 22, 2018. — Picture by Shafwan Zaidon
He then related how he had to spread lies that he was on a plane to Saudi Arabia, for fear of being followed, when instead he boarded a flight to the United States.
“There were people waiting to arrest me in Jeddah if I had landed there, but instead I flew to Washington,” he said.
“I reached Washington DC and me and my team noticed I was being followed by someone,” he said.
Mohd Shukri explained how he and his team took photos of the person and immediately alerted the then Inspector General of Police to track the person that followed him.
“I didn’t feel safe in Washington, so I boarded a train to New York, where I met a friend working with the New York Police Department (NYPD).
“Once there, I received protection in the form of three bodyguards from the NYPD and then only I felt safe, before returning to Washington,” he said.
Mohd Shukri said he had also received text threats that were directly sent to him via Whatsapp, while some were sent to his then boss, Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed.
Mohd Shukri added he even received threats from a former member of Parliament.
“I am not going to reveal who it is, but an MP from a northern state famously known as Cash King, approached me twice and asked me ‘what do you want?”.
“He told me if I were to mention the case again he would do everything in his power to get me arrested,” said Mohd Shukri.
He also explained how, despite receiving threats, Mohd Shukri never resorted to lodging a formal police report.
“I was weary because I feared the report and its contents would go viral, or I would never know the outcome of the case.
“But today we are in a new Malaysia, with a new government, so if I feel it is possible (action will be taken), then I’ll lodge a report,” he said.
