Did Najib Razak admit to asking UAE crown prince for help?

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Najib Razak Admitted to Requesting Assistance from UAE Crown Prince

Datuk Seri Najib Razak acknowledged in the High Court that he had contacted the then Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to facilitate paperwork arrangements aimed at absolving his stepson, Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz, from allegations connected to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) funds. This admission followed the presentation of transcripts from two audio recordings, purportedly of phone conversations between Najib and Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed Zayed Al-Nahyan in 2016. Najib confirmed making a "personal request" during one of these calls concerning Riza Aziz.
Request for Loan Agreement to Legitimize Funds

Najib confirmed that he asked the Crown Prince to arrange for a loan agreement to be signed with Riza Aziz, complete with a repayment schedule. The stated purpose of this agreement was to demonstrate that the funds Riza Aziz received for movie production were "legitimate." Najib explained this was because Riza Aziz had been promised contributions from Aabar and the Crown Prince himself, leading him to seek the Crown Prince's assistance in resolving the matter.
Concern Over Riza Aziz Being a Scapegoat

The transcripts also revealed Najib expressing concern that Riza Aziz might be made a scapegoat in the United States. He conveyed this worry to the Crown Prince, emphasizing that Riza Aziz was under pressure and wished to repay the money as soon as possible. Najib stated that Riza Aziz was initially unaware of the money's origin, believing it to be from Aabar and sanctioned by Sheikh Mansour.
Authenticity of Recordings and Voices

While Najib could not definitively verify the absolute authenticity of the audio recordings, he did confirm that the "Your Highness" addressed in the alleged conversations referred to the then Crown Prince of the UAE. He further stated that the two voices in the second audio recording were "most likely" his own and the Crown Prince's. Despite these admissions, Najib disagreed with suggestions that he was aware of the specific source of the money Riza Aziz received.

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Did Najib Razak admit to asking UAE crown prince for help?

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