Fikri Ab Rahim, an officer from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), has firmly refuted claims that his promotion was a result of his investigation into the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal being biased towards then Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. During his testimony in Najib's RM2.28 billion 1MDB trial, Fikri emphasized that his promotion was solely determined by the MACC and its then chief commissioner, Tan Sri Abu Kassim. This statement came in response to accusations from the deputy public prosecutor, Ahmad Akram Gharib, who suggested that Fikri's participation in the 2015 investigation in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, aimed to benefit Najib, leading to a subsequent 'reward' in the form of promotion. Fikri, however, maintained that his rapid ascent through the ranks, reaching Jusa C even before the Saudi trip, was due to his exceptional performance and had nothing to do with Najib. He further clarified that the investigations were still ongoing at the time of his promotion, making any connection to Najib's case unfounded.
A Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission ( MACC ) officer has dismissed suggestions that his promotion was a result of his investigation being purportedly favorable to then prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak . Fikri Ab Rahim, 50, told the High Court that his promotion was determined by the chief commissioner. 'My promotion was determined by the MACC and (then chief commissioner) Tan Sri Abu Kassim,' said the eighth defence witness in Najib’s RM2.
28bil 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) trial here yesterday. Fikri was one of the investigating officers from the MACC who had gone to the Riyadh Palace between November 27 and November 29, 2015, to determine the authenticity of four donation letters from Saudi Arabia. The team was also tasked to record statements from a Saudi prince, Prince Saud Abdulaziz Majid Al-Saud, who was said to have signed the donation letters addressed to Najib. Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib had contended during cross-examination that Fikri was part of the investigating team that went to Riyadh in 2015 for a coordinated effort to favor the former prime minister, who was under investigation, and thus he was 'rewarded' for his contribution. Fikri: 'I do climb the ladder quickly.' DPP Ahmad Akram: 'In about 11 to 12 years, you went up the ranks to Jusa C because of your work quality and within your batch, you were the first to be promoted to Jusa C.' When re-examined by Najib’s lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, Fikri said his promotion was at an accelerated pace from Grade 41 to 54, even before the Saudi trip. 'I was in Grade 54 when I went to Saudi. I was promoted to Jusa C in 2017. 'The investigations were still ongoing. I don’t see how Najib played any role in my promotion,' Fikri said. On October 30 last year, Najib was ordered by the High Court to enter his defense on four counts of using his position to obtain RM2.28bil gratification from 1MDB’s funds and 21 counts of money laundering involving the same amount
MACC Promotion Najib Razak 1MDB Corruption Investigation Saudi Arabia Trial
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