1MDB controversy started from day one


Exclusive interview with Jho Lo Low Taek Jho on 28 July 2010.

> On May 27, 2009, Tan Sri Ismee Ismail and Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi signed a deal arranged by AmInvestment Bank Bhd to raise RM5bil via the issuance of Islamic medium-term notes (IMTNs), despite being told not to do so by the Terengganu state government.

> On July 31, 2009, the federal government took over Terengganu Investment Authority (TIA) and changed its name to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), four months after Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was made Prime Minister.

> Shahrol, who was at the time the CEO of 1MDB, told his board of directors on Oct 10, 2009 that he went ahead with the RM5bil IMTN programme on the advice of the special adviser to TIA. Low Taek Jho, or better known as Jho Low (pic), was the special adviser to TIA.

The controversies surrounding 1MDB started from day one.

The company was established as TIA on Feb 27, 2009. It had proposed to issue RM5bil worth of IMTNs as the initial fund, but decided to terminate the deal on May 22.

In a strange twist, the CEO of TIA went ahead with the deal three days later.

The CEO was immediately sacked by TIA, but a board of directors resolution signed by Ismee and Shahrol made sure that the fundraising exercise went through.

On May 29, TIA received RM4.385bil in net proceeds from IMTN from the full value of RM5bil, or RM87.92 for every RM100 as per AmBank recommendation.

Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 11.12/month

Billed as RM 11.12 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 9.87/month

Billed as RM 118.40 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
Business , 1MDB , TIA

Next In Nation

Police, Bank Negara step up fight against illegal gambling amid World Cup fever
Finance Minister had final say on procurement, but PMO chose the contractors, Tengku Zafrul tells court
Lawmaker urges MyCC to sink teeth into corporate mafia probe if given more legal bite
Malaysia's food security index increases to 61.5, says Stats Dept
Rural development must look beyond borders, domestic agenda, says Zahid
Malaysia in talks with Thailand, GACC on land route for durian exports to China
More than 10,000 M'sians still waiting for organ transplants, says Select Committee chairman
Daughter was victim of opportunity, not intended target, says father of Banting school stabbing victim
Johor polls: Floods, Causeway jams top agenda for Pakatan's greater JB candidates
Federal stability not affected by state election results, says Azalina

Others Also Read