In response to a question from lawyer Sangeet Kaur Deo, he also admitted that he was aware other countries had started their own probes and even filed court actions over 1MDB-related transactions.
Sangeet pointed out that without the AG’s (Apandi) consent under the Mutual Assistance In Criminal Matters Act, local authorities cannot proceed to obtain evidence from foreign counterparts.
Apandi was testifying in his lawsuit against DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang. In his suit, the former AG claimed Lim defamed him in a 2019 statement, “Dangerous fallacy to think Malaysia is on the road to integrity”.
He alleged that the Iskandar Puteri MP’s statement depicted him as someone who is immoral and unethical, without integrity, and had practised double standards while holding the position of attorney-general.
Sangeet then asked Apandi if it was insufficient for agencies to confine investigations locally.
Apandi’s answer that it was up to the relevant investigation agencies to determine if evidence was sufficient or otherwise, earned a rebuke from Sangeet.
She reminded him that he is under cross-examination and that he only needs to answer “yes” or “no” to the question.
Judge Azimah Omar then interjected and said the lawyer merely suggested to him that it was insufficient for local investigators to only look into 1MDB-related matters locally, when it was a known fact that foreign countries had launched their investigations on the 1MDB funds that had flowed into their jurisdiction.
Apandi then agreed to Sangeet’s suggestion.
She then asked Apandi if he was aware that the Malaysian Bar passed a motion in their 2016 annual general meeting, calling for him to resign as AG.
Apandi said he knew about the motion but those who voted for the motion were “just a small fraction of the legal fraternity”.
Meanwhile, on an allegation made by senior lawyer and former MACC review panel member Lim Chee Wee that the AG “refused to investigate further” on evidence that showed Najib receiving RM42 million SRC International funds, Apandi said he never received any request or material from the lawyer.
The hearing continues tomorrow.