SRC civil suit: Defence challenges credibility of key witness over ‘double hearsay’

THE defence in the RM42 million civil action brought against former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak mounted a forceful challenge in the High Court today, contending that crucial testimony by former SRC International Sdn Bhd director Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi was founded on what it described as “double hearsay”.

Appearing before Judge Datuk Raja Ahmad Mohzanuddin Shah Raja Mohzan, Najib’s counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah argued that Shahrol Azral’s evidence relied extensively on statements allegedly made by former SRC chief executive Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil, who is currently outside the country and has not appeared in court.

During cross-examination, Shafee repeatedly pressed the witness on his dependence on Nik Faisal’s purported representations, asserting that such claims could not be substantiated in the absence of direct testimony.

“You are quoting Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil, that certain things were conveyed to him by Datuk Seri Najib. It is not merely hearsay but double hearsay.

“What you have stated in your witness statement, that Nik Faisal conveyed to you and to the SRC board of directors are purported statements that the court cannot verify,” Bernama reported him saying.

Shafee further submitted that, with Nik Faisal not present before the court, Shahrol Azral was unable to conclusively establish the truth of what had allegedly been communicated.

In reply, Shahrol Azral said: “I have no comment on this. How do I prove something that I heard and remember?”

When pressed on whether Nik Faisal was central to his defence, Shahrol Azral agreed.

He also acknowledged that he had made no attempt to trace or secure Nik Faisal’s attendance in court, despite accepting that the former chief executive could corroborate his account.

In his witness statement, Shahrol Azral attributed several key statements to Nik Faisal, maintaining that information conveyed by him to both Shahrol and the SRC board had shaped his understanding of the company’s operations and informed how he managed documents, forms and cheque-related matters.

He told the court that he had no reason to doubt Nik Faisal, who was the authorised signatory to Najib’s bank accounts and SRC’s corporate representative.

Shahrol Azral said he acted on Nik Faisal’s instructions in view of Najib’s positions at the time as Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and sole shareholder of SRC through Minister of Finance Incorporated.

The civil suit, filed in 2021 by SRC International and its subsidiary Gandingan Mentari Sdn Bhd, seeks a declaration that Najib is liable for RM42 million and claims damages on grounds including knowing receipt, dishonest assistance, misfeasance in public office and abuse of power.

The trial continues tomorrow. - March 4, 2026