PUTRAJAYA: The sister of Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu told the High Court here that fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho had left an impression on her with his calm demeanour and intelligence.
Tengku Datuk Rahimah Sultan Mahmud, 59, who testified in Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s RM2.28bil 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) graft trial, said she was introduced to Low by the son-in-law of the late Sarawak Chief Minister Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, Datuk Syed Ahmad Alwee Alsree.
During the casual meeting at Low’s office in the Petronas Twin Towers (KLCC), Low shared details about his background, qualifications and business ventures.
“What stood out most was his ability to articulate and clarify his vision with remarkable clarity, making his presentation highly persuasive and convincing.
“Despite his confidence, he was not pushy, which made his approach even more effective and engaging,” Tengku Rahimah said in her witness statement during the examination-in-chief conducted by Najib’s lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah yesterday.
Tengku Rahimah said the Wharton School graduate struck her as a “highly accomplished young man with impressive connections”.
“His thought process, presentation of ideas and reasoning were exceptionally impressive.
“Additionally, he supported his arguments with well-presented data, making them highly convincing.
“He also had a jovial demeanour and a natural ability to put people at ease.”
Tengku Rahimah further testified that sometime in 2008, Tuanku Mizan desired to improve the income and livelihood of people in Terengganu.
Low, who had shared insights about Mubadala (a sovereign wealth fund in the United Arab Emirates), was later introduced to the Sultan by Tengku Rahimah.
“The incorporation of Terengganu Investment Authority (TIA) was not initiated by Najib.
“The idea was proposed to Tuanku Mizan by Jho Low,” she added.
Tengku Rahimah became a director of TIA when it was established in early 2009, as suggested by Low and agreed upon by Tuanku Mizan.
On May 22, 2009, she said her brother had summoned her for a private audience and unexpectedly asked her to sign a resolution to suspend the Islamic Medium Term Notes programme.
“Taken aback by the request, I asked for the reason, but Tuanku Mizan simply instructed me to proceed with signing it,” she said.
Tengku Rahimah subsequently resigned from her position after 11 days.
“A few days later, I realised that it was best for me to step away from my role at TIA,” she said.
During cross-examination, deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib asked Tengku Rahimah if Low had, at any given time, impressed upon her that he had good relations with Najib, who was the deputy prime minister at that time.
“Yes,” she answered.
Najib had previously denied being behind the setting up of 1MDB, saying that the sovereign wealth fund was “not his baby”.
The court was told that TIA was later federalised to salvage it from its internal strife, resulting in 1MDB.
On Oct 30, last year, Najib was ordered by the High Court to enter his defence on four counts of using his position to obtain RM2.28bil gratification from 1MDB’s funds and 21 counts of money laundering involving the same amount.
The hearing continues before Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah today.
