Najib: PMO Officers' Poor English Led To RM300K Payment For Speechwriting
He justified that the payments from his personal account were for official duties.
Datuk Seri Najib Razak told the High Court in Putrajaya that the payment of RM2.3 million from his personal account for social media and speechwriting was for official duties as prime minister, and not for for his personal interest
A cheque for RM303,000 from the RM2.3 million was allocated to Semarak Konsortium Satu to pay individuals for communication assistance, including writing speeches in English for international forums, reported the Malay Mail.
Najib remarked that those at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) were not as skilled in speechwriting and explained that it was difficult to find civil servants with strong English proficiency at the time.
Image via Reuters via The Straits Times
Deputy public prosecutor Kamal Baharin Omar questioned Najib's actions, suggesting that the government could have used official funds to pay for the services
"Can, but I don't want to burden the government," Najib replied.
Meanwhile, the remaining RM2 million was allocated to ORB Solutions to provide an additional platform for Najib to convey his message to Malaysians
He noted that the PMO's communications division was insufficient for the wide coverage required at the time.
Najib said he needed an "additional platform" through a social media management company, adding that mainstream media was unable to convey the government's message to all Malaysians.
Additionally, Najib disagreed that the RM246,000 cheque given to property tycoon Tan Sri Lim Soon Peng for helping manage his 'Ah Jib Gor' Facebook page, was for personal gain. He instead stated that it was meant to enhance his image among the Chinese community.
These payments are part of the 21 money laundering charges Najib faces in the 1MDB trial, with the prosecution alleging they were unlawfully taken from 1MDB funds.
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