Kuala Lumpur: The prosecution in Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's trial told the High Court here today that the former prime minister did not assign any formal role to fugitive businessman Jho Low in 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) because Najib used him as an intermediary to facilitate the receipt of funds from the company.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib stated that Najib appeared to be protecting Jho Low, whose real name is Low Taek Jho, despite being given numerous warnings about his character and actions between 2009 and 2016. One of the warnings was given by the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, who described Jho Low as an 'unsavoury character'. Additional warnings came from the chairman of 1MDB Board of Directors Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salleh and The Edge Media Group chairman Tan Sri Tong Kooi Ong, both of whom highlighted Jho Low's misconduct.
Ahmad Akram emphasized that there were many red flags regarding Jho Low's wrongdoing, as highlighted by prosecution witnesses. Despite these, Najib continued to protect Jho Low by denying his role in 1MDB. Najib, who is the first defence witness in his trial concerning the alleged misappropriation of RM2.3 billion of 1MDB funds, denied all allegations, claiming he did not protect Jho Low but used the businessman to maintain good relations with Middle Eastern countries.
During the cross-examination, Ahmad Akram suggested that appointing Jho Low to a formal position in 1MDB would have been beneficial for the company, but Najib disagreed, citing potential conflicts. Najib also refuted allegations that Jho Low was kept out of an official role to allow Najib to deflect blame if authorities probed the fund flows within 1MDB.
Further questioning by Ahmad Akram led to Najib being accused of using his position for personal gain, which Najib denied. The prosecutor also pointed out Najib's evasive responses during a parliamentary session in March 2015 about Jho Low and 1MDB, but Najib maintained he never obstructed investigations into 1MDB.
Ahmad Akram challenged Najib's defence, which claimed political persecution, noting the lack of evidence supporting this claim. Najib countered, arguing that many documents were not referred to him during investigations and that the prosecution was conducted hastily. He asserted that he did not have the opportunity to provide a full explanation.
The trial, which has been ongoing since October 30 of the previous year, saw Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah order Najib to present his defence after determining a prima facie case. Najib, 71, faces 25 charges, including four counts of abusing his position to obtain RM2.3 billion in bribes and 21 counts of money laundering involving the same amount. The hearing continues.