The trial judge in Najib’s RM2.3 billion 1MDB case ruled there was an unequivocal nexus between the former PM and fugitive financier Jho Low.
PUTRAJAYA: The trial judge in Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s RM2.3 billion 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) case has ruled an unequivocal nexus existed between the former prime minister and fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low.
Former High Court Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah delivered this key finding while reading his judgment in the landmark case.
Justice Sequerah pointed to testimony from the ninth prosecution witness, former 1MDB CEO Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi, who said Jho Low acted as the principal orchestrator of 1MDB projects on Najib’s behalf.
“Another witness, the 15th prosecution witness, former 1MDB chairman Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salleh, testified that Jho Low acted as a conduit between the board and the accused,” Justice Sequerah said.
The judge stated the prosecution presented compelling evidence that Jho Low managed Najib’s affairs in 1MDB and oversaw his personal AmBank accounts.
“Taken together, these pieces of evidence reveal an unmistakable bond between the accused and Jho Low,” he said.
Justice Sequerah dismissed Najib’s claim that he was misled by 1MDB’s management, noting he was not a “country bumpkin”.
As then prime minister, finance minister and 1MDB advisory board chairman, he was fully apprised of the company’s affairs.
The judge further dismissed Najib’s assertion he was solely focused on managing the country.
He emphasised Najib had instructed Jho Low to accompany his former aide, Datuk Amhari Effendi Nazaruddin, on official trips.
“The inference here is that Jho Low acted as Najib’s proxy, conduit and agent,” Justice Sequerah said.
Najib, 72, faces four charges of using his position to obtain bribes from 1MDB funds between 2011 and 2014.
He also faces 21 counts of money laundering for offences allegedly committed between March and August 2013.
