RM5bil bonds: Malaysians suffered losses, while Jho Low-linked company benefited

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): State-owned sovereign wealth fund, 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), Social Security Organisation (Socso) and Malaysians suffered losses from the RM5 billion bonds in Islamic medium term notes (IMTN) issued by Terengganu Investment Authority Berhad (TIA).

Former 1MDB chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi, 49, said the issuance of the bonds, however, benefited a foreign company, Aktis Capital, which was linked to fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low.

The ninth prosecution witness said this when cross-examined by Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, the defence counsel for Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on the 19th day of the former premier’s trial involving 1MDB funds.

Earlier, the lawyer read out a letter between AmBank and Aktis pertaining to a net amount of RM74.62 million payable to the latter.

"According to this letter, AmBank stated that Aktis had subscribed to the bonds at RM617 million, with the company then appointing AmBank as a placement agent, which had then helped the company dispose the bonds at par value, RM700 million, amounting to a trading gain of RM83 million.

"AmBank, miraculously, was able to sell it at face value, and this process only benefited Aktis...who were the losers of this deal?” asked the lawyer.

The witness responded: 1MDB.

Muhammad Shafee: Some people arranged in Aktis for the discounted sale, for Jho Low's outfit to make money.

"Now who else lost? The Malaysians? Malaysians got screwed twice as the bonds were sold at a discount and then sold at a higher value to Malaysian institutions such as EPF, Socso, insurance companies and including AmBank?” proposed the lawyer.

Shahrol Azral: Yes.

Najib, 66, faces four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.3 billion from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.

Hearing before High Court Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues, with senior deputy public prosecutor and former Federal Court judge Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram leading the prosecution. - Bernama