Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has denied signing minutes of a 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) meeting, claiming the document contained a fabricated signature.

Testifying in the High Court during his RM2.28 billion 1MDB corruption trial, Najib told his lead counsel, that he had never attended the meeting referenced in the minutes.

When asked if the signature was his, Najib replied: No, it is not my signature. I can confidently say it is not mine because I did not attend this meeting with (Datuk) Shahrol (Azral Ibrahim Halmi).

The minutes reportedly detailed a discussion between Najib and Shahrol, the former 1MDB CEO, about a proposed investment in French energy company GDF Suez. Shahrol claimed Najib approved the proposal and instructed the management to assess risks and conduct due diligence.

Rejecting Shahrol’s testimony, Najib stated, No such meeting took place. I never had any discussion with Shahrol regarding the proposal for the GDF Suez investment.

Najib also pointed out discrepancies in the document, including the absence of a date and differences in handwriting, asserting, It was my standard practice when making a notation to always include a date and sign off below it.

He further alleged that Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers avoided presenting the document during his statement recording to prevent him from refuting the claims.

This would have contradicted their narrative that I directed the management and board to proceed with the GDF Suez investment, he said.

Najib has previously denied the authenticity of his signatures in the SRC International trial, where he was convicted.