Ambrin Buang said he did change the contents of the report based on his judgment but the “facts” were there.
“We are entitled to give our views but those present at the (Feb 24, 2016) meeting did not respect our opinion,” he said when cross-examined by lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, who is appearing for former prime minister Najib Razak.
The meeting agreed to remove from the report the two conflicting versions of the 2014 financial statements of 1MDB, the agreement between Country Groups Securities Thailand and ACME Time Ltd, the presence of fugitive financier Jho Low in 1MBD board meetings and the delay in the issuance of the RM5 billion Islamic Medium Term Notes.
Former 1MDB CEO Arul Kanda Kandasamy, representatives of the National Audit Department, Treasury, the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Prime Minister’s Office were among those present.
The report was initially scheduled to be tabled before the PAC on Feb 24 but due to the amendments, it was tabled on March 4.
Today, Shafee said Ambrin’s evidence during examination-in-chief gave the impression that he had compromised his position in allowing the amendments.
Shafee: Did you compromise your integrity?
Ambrin: No, despite the request to amend the report.
The witness said although he was on contract, he agreed with Shafee’s suggestion that one must be fiercely independent.
Shafee: What would you do if you are asked to do something immoral or illegal?
Ambrin: Of course, I will not do it.
Shafee: Would you make a police report if pushed?
Ambrin: Yes.
Shafee: In this case, did you lodge a report?
Ambrin: I didn’t see a reason to make a report.
Shafee then suggested that Ambrin’s other option was to tender his resignation if his integrity was affected. In response, the witness replied he could have done that.
Ambrin yesterday told the court that he agreed to make amendments after Najib gave an undertaking to uncover what gave rise to the two conflicting financial statements on 1MDB.
Further, he said, then chief secretary to the government Ali Hamsa, in the meeting, had also instructed Treasury representative Isa Hussain to lodge a police report on the two conflicting versions of the 2014 financial statement.
Ambrin said he felt cheated when he later found out from his officers that there was no action on the matter.
No pressure from Arul to amend report
Questioned by lawyer N Sivananthan, who is appearing for former 1MDB CEO Arul Kanda, Ambrin said his client had the right to question him on the report.
He agreed that Arul was the “smallest person” in the meeting and he did not mention his client’s name as one of those who had applied pressure to amend the report.
Najib is accused of using his position to obtain immunity from legal action in relation to allegations that he tampered with the 1MDB audit report, between Feb 22 and 26, 2016.
The alleged offence took place at the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya.
Arul, meanwhile, is charged with abetting.
The trial before judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan adjourned to Jan 13.