Jho Low called Najib 'big boss', witness tells court

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho or Jho Low referred to Datuk Seri Najib Razak as "big boss”, according to a witness in the former prime minister's trial on Monday (July 29).

In the witness box was Joanna Yu Ging Ping, 48, a former AmBank relationship manager who was being cross-examined by the accused's counsel Harvinderjit Singh.

The lawyer reading out a BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) chat dated May 30, 2014, between Yu and Jho Low queried: On May 30, 2014, at 10.54 Jho Low sent this message to you, "this 15 American pies incoming."

Yu replied, "Yes in fact Jho Low said big boss just called.”

Lawyer: Who is big boss?

Witness: He is the account holder.

Lawyer: The account holder is referred to MNR (Mohd Najib Razak) is it?

Witness: But I’m not sure who is the bigger boss.

Lawyer: All right, thank you.

The 54th prosecution witness also agreed with Harvinderjit's suggestion that based on the BBM chat dated May 30, 2014, Jho Low also referred currency in Great British pounds as "chips”.

Lawyer: Chips there refer to GB pounds?

Witness: He (Jho Low) always refer pies and satay to US and ringgit Malaysia currencies.

Lawyer: Yes, and finally chips for GB pounds, it all makes sense.

Witness: Ok.

Yu disagreed with the lawyer's suggestion that Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil, who was former chief executive officer of SRC, was nobody in Najib’s accounts operation.

Lawyer: According to BBM chat between you and Nik Faisal on Jan, 13, 2015, Nik Faisal said, "I ciku only ma” (meaning he is nobody).

Witness: That is what he said, but I did not agree with him.

Najib, 66, is facing three counts of criminal breach of trust, one count of abusing his position and three counts of money laundering involving SRC International funds amounting to RM42mil.

The hearing before justice Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali continues on Wednesday (July 31). - Bernama