1MDB board would not disregard Jho Low due to close ties with Najib

KUALA LUMPUR: The 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) board of directors (BOD) would not disregard suggestions by fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho - better known as Jho Low - due to his close relationship with Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the High Court here heard.

Former 1MDB director Tan Sri Ismee Ismail, 57, said this in his 112-page witness statement during the RM2.28bil 1MDB trial involving Najib here on Wednesday (Nov 17).

The 13th prosecution witness said from observation, Low had acted as Najib's advisor in the Terengganu Investment Authority (TIA) steering committee and 1MDB.

"He only has an official position in TIA but not in 1MDB. There were no proposals to appoint Low in 1MDB," the witness said.

Ismee added that as far as he remembered, Low had name-dropped Najib many times in his conversations and suggestions and he would address Najib as "boss" or "PM" in meetings.

"He was working behind the scenes because the BOD and myself would receive emails frequently from him from the email address [e-mail]," Ismee added.

The emails, Ismee said, were proposals to the BOD and top management on 1MDB's investment and development.

The witness however said he did not know what Low's capacity was when the latter sent the emails nor Low's level of involvement in the sovereign wealth fund.

“What the BOD and I know is that Jho Low has a very good relationship with Najib. Because of the good relationship between Jho Low and Datuk Seri Najib, the BOD would not disregard Jho Low’s emails at all," said Ismee

"But from what I see with the BOD, each matter must go through the correct channels and follow proper corporate governance,” he added.

Najib, 68, is facing four charges of abusing his position to obtain gratification totalling RM2.28bil in 1MDB funds and 21 counts of money laundering involving the same money.

The hearing continues before Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah this afternoon.