1MDB trial: Jho Low claims to have proof he acted on Najib's behest, says witness

KUALA LUMPUR: Former 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) general counsel testified that fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low, claimed he has proof that his actions were done with Datuk Seri Najib Razak's knowledge.

Jasmine Loo, 50, said Low told her this when she questioned him about the monetary transactions that went into Najib's bank account sometime in 2015 and 2016.

Loo, the 50th prosecution witness, learned about the transactions through reports by the media and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

"I asked Jho Low why there was a need for that much money to go into Najib's account.

"Jho Low said it was for Barisan Nasional's political fund, especially Umno," she said.

Loo said that when she pressured Low about the transactions, Low told her not to worry, that he would take care of everything, and that she (Loo) did not have to do anything.

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"Jho Low said in the eventuality that anything happened to him, he has evidence that whatever he did was at the request and knowledge of Najib,” she said during an examination-in-chief by Deputy Public Prosecutor Deepa Nair Thevaharan.

Najib's lead counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, then stood to object on the grounds that Loo’s statement was hearsay.

Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah said he noted the objection by the defence, and the witness continued with her witness statement.

Najib, 70, is on trial for 25 charges in total - four for abuse of power that allegedly brought him the financial benefit to the tune of RM2.28bil and 21 for money laundering involving the same amount of money.

The trial continues this afternoon.