In an explicit disclosure at the witness stand on Monday, former 1MDB investigating officer R Rajagopal said that Tun Mahathir summoned the police for 1MDB briefing five days after becoming Prime Minister in 2018.
PUTRAJAYA – In Monday’s testimony at the ongoing 1MDB trial, former investigating officer R Rajagopal revealed that Tun Mahathir Mohamad personally summoned the police for a briefing on the 1MDB investigation just five days after assuming office as Malaysia’s Prime Minister in May 2018.
Rajagopal, who was part of the police team investigating 1MDB, stated that on May 15, 2018, he attended the briefing at the Perdana Leadership Foundation in Putrajaya alongside then Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Dato’ Mohamad Fuzi Harun and former Bukit Aman commercial crime investigation department (CCID) director Datuk Seri Amar Singh. The purpose of the meeting was to update the newly minted Prime Minister on the progress of the investigation.
“We briefed Tun Mahathir using a PowerPoint presentation, highlighting that based on our investigation, the proceeds of 1MDB had been deposited into former Prime Minister Najib Razak’s account,” Rajagopal said. “Mahathir responded by stating, ‘You have to complete the investigation with evidence.’”
IMDB Matter Brought To AG Chambers
Following the briefing, Rajagopal confirmed that the matter was referred to the Attorney-General’s Chambers, and an anti-money laundering report was filed to officially begin the investigation.
During cross-examination, Najib’s defense counsel, Tan Sri Shafee Abdullah, sought more details about the meeting. Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Ahmad Akram Gharib objected, arguing that such inquiries were “scandalous” and not relevant to the trial, since Mahathir was not a witness.
However, Shafee pressed on, insisting that the questioning was vital. “Once the DPP opened this matter, they can’t close it,” he argued. “This is relevant because I want to demonstrate that Najib never directed or interfered with the investigation.”
Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah allowed Shafee to proceed but cautioned him to stay focused on the matter at hand.
In response to Shafee’s questions, Rajagopal confirmed that Mahathir had called the police to the Perdana Leadership Foundation for the briefing before officially taking his seat in the Prime Minister’s Office. “He wanted to know the findings of the 1MDB investigation,” Rajagopal said.
When asked whether Mahathir had questioned the pace of the investigation, Rajagopal said he couldn’t recall any such inquiry. However, he emphasized that Mahathir did not indicate any intention to charge anyone during the meeting. “I simply briefed him on the wrongdoings and the people involved,” Rajagopal added.
Shafee further probed whether Rajagopal’s role in the task force was affected by any dissatisfaction from Mahathir. Rajagopal clarified, “If Mahathir had been unhappy with my work, I would have been replaced.”
1MDB Discussion At Ilham Tower
On another note, a former journalist told NMH that a few days after Pakatan Harapan assumed power in May 2018, Tun Mahathir had called for a meeting of certain ‘personalities’ for a discussion about 1MDB at the late Tun Daim’s office in Ilham Tower. Included in the list of invitees was Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, the current Chief Justice. Tengku Maimun was then a Court of Appeal judge. The journalist said that none of the personalities were ‘allowed’ to speak to the media who were stationed outside the building. They only knew it was a discussion on 1MDB.
Najib is facing 25 charges related to money laundering and abuse of power in connection with the alleged misappropriation of RM2.28 billion in 1MDB funds, which were deposited into his AmBank accounts between 2011 and 2014.
The trial resumes. – NMH
Datin Hasnah is the co-founder and CEO of New Malaysia Herald based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
With an extensive background in mass communication and journalism, she works on building up New Malaysia Herald and it’s partner sites. A tireless and passionate evangalist, she champions autism studies and support groups.
Datin Hasnah is also the Editor in Chief of New Malaysia Herald.
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