KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak (pic) never told the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) board of directors that monies from the sovereign wealth fund had entered his personal bank accounts, the High Court heard.

       Former chief financial officer Azmi Tahir said this when asked by lead prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram during re-examination in the 1MDB trial involving the former prime minister here on Tuesday (May 17).

       The witness was shown bank statements and a chart depicting the money flow involving Tanore Finance Corporation, which ultimately had transferred a total of US$681mil into Najib’s account between March 21, 2013 and April 10, 2013.

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       Sri Ram: Were you aware he (Najib) had siphoned these monies?

       At this juncture, Najib's lawyer Datuk Hariharan Tara Singh objected to the question, saying that it was "unfair and incorrect" for the prosecutor to lead the witness.

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       Sri Ram then rephrased his question by asking the witness whether he was aware that Najib had received the monies, to which Azmi answered: "No".

       Sri Ram: Did the accused disclose at any of the meetings you attended that he received this money?

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       Azmi: No, never.

       Based on the chart, the witness agreed monies belonging to 1MDB were received by Najib in his bank account.

       Sri Ram then asked Azmi if he had personally obtained any money from the transactions.

       Azmi replied, "Definitely not."

       Sri Ram: Not even one sen?

       Azmi: No.

       Sri Ram: Did you obtain financial benefit from (fugitive financier) Low Taek Jho (or Jho Low)?

       Azmi: Definitely not.

       Sri Ram: Did you know the arrangement the accused had with Low with regards to funds of 1MDB?

       Azmi: No, I don't.

       Regarding the irregularities in 1MDB's transactions, Azmi said he was never called by Najib for questioning despite Najib being the chairman of 1MDB's board of advisors.

       "Definitely he could have (questioned me), he was the prime minister," Azmi added.

       Sri Ram: Had he sent for you, would you have gone?

       Azmi: He was the prime minister, how could I refuse?

       Najib, 68, is facing four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.28bil from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.

       The hearing continues before Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah on Wednesday (May 18).