Datuk Seri Najib Razak described himself as the only politician to return $620 million (RM2.6 billion) in bribes to the original account after receiving official approval from Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
The former Prime Minister explained that he first wrote a letter to the then BNM Governor, Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz, before returning the money.
He decided to return the amount even though the entire $681 million (RM2.86 billion) that was hotly debated by the media at the time had not yet been proven or identified as having any connection to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
Najib also stated this in his opening statement before the defense presented oral arguments in the 1MDB funds embezzlement trial yesterday.
Najib is currently facing trial on four counts of embezzlement of RM2.3 billion from 1MDB funds as well as 21 counts of money laundering.
He also stressed that a thorough examination of all the evidence showed that the prosecution relied entirely on hearsay evidence.
The prosecution was alleged to have failed to meet the basic requirements for accepting hearsay evidence and to have made no effort to locate key witnesses, including fugitive businessman Jho Low.
According to the charges, the former Pekan MP was charged with four counts of using his position to receive bribes of RM2.28 billion from 1MDB funds and 21 counts of money laundering involving the same amount.
