KUALA LUMPUR: A former 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) director has told the High Court that he was restless and worried about his family’s safety when he had to give evidence in relation to the sovereign wealth fund.

       Tan Sri Ismee Ismail, 57, who is the prosecution’s 13th witness, was already facing a travel ban during the investigation into the 1MDB scandal involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

       The witness, who was cross-examined by Najib’s lawyer Datuk Hariharan Tara Singh, was called up by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) many times in 2015 and 2018 to give his statement.

       Ismee said it was hard to discuss his feelings on what he went through at that time as he faced “a lot of uncertainty”.

       “I was restless, afraid, wondering what was happening,” he said.

       The witness denied being threatened with legal action by the anti-graft agency for him to give his evidence in the case.

       The court also heard that Ismee was shocked to find out he was being sued by 1MDB in a multimillion-ringgit lawsuit over alleged breach of fiduciary duty.

       He said he was in disbelief when he was served with the lawsuit and he subsequently contacted other former directors of the company.

       “I think it (the calls) was more to confirm ‘is this real?’,” he said.

       When asked if he felt betrayed as he had testified against Najib in the trial, the witness disagreed.

       “I wouldn’t use the word ‘betray’. When I received the suit I felt very, very sad. It was more sad instead of feeling betrayed,” he added.

       Hariharan: You mentioned you were shocked because you were promised there would be no criminal nor civil action against you.

       Ismaee: I disagree, I don’t recall any promises (from the MACC).

       The lawyer pressed on several times on the premise that Ismee cooperated with the MACC to give evidence against Najib so that he would escape litigation, but this was repeatedly denied by Ismee.

       “I gave them the truth. Whether it was against or for (the accused), I wouldn’t be the judge of that,” Ismee said.

       Hariharan: Do you agree that the civil suit has been withdrawn?

       Ismee: Yes.

       Hariharan: Just to remind you are under oath; you are obliged to tell the truth.

       Ismee: Yes.

       Najib, 68, is facing four charges of using his position to obtain RM2.28bil in bribes from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.The trial continues before Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah on Jan 5.