Banker who opened Najib's account is on KWAP panel

The banker who opened Najib's two bank accounts with AmBank, ended up serving on the Retirement Fund Incorporated (KWAP) investment panel which approved a RM4 billion loan to SRC International Sdn Bhd.

In his witness statement read out at the Kuala Lumpur High Court today, Cheah Tek Kuang, 72, (above) said he attended a special panel meeting on July 19 to scrutinise a proposal by KWAP's fixed income department to loan RM2 billion to SRC.

"In the same meeting, the KWAP CEO informed the meeting that the prime minister of Malaysia had informed the KWAP chairperson Wan Abdul Aziz to expedite the approval of the loan to SRC and that a sum of RM2 billion loaned to SRC will suffice," testified Cheah.

The panel approved the term loan of RM2 billion with the condition that the loan was made to 1MDB with a government guarantee, or that KWAP loaned the money to the government as the borrower.

Cheah testified that he signed all the reply forms where he agreed to the loan and allowed the exemption of KWAP guidelines for the loan. He submitted the forms on Aug 22, 2011.

On Feb 15, Cheah attended a panel meeting which approved SRC's transfer of ownership from 1MDB to Minister of Finance Incorporated (MOF Inc).

KWAP's approval was necessary because of provisions in the loan agreement.

Largest loan

Cheah testified that he did not attend the panel meeting in 2012 which approved another RM2 billion loan to SRC.

"In my experience as a member of the KWAP investment panel, the two separate loans given to SRC amounting to RM4 billion in total, were one of the largest loans ever agreed and approved by KWAP," he said.

Cheah is still listed as a panel member on KWAP's website.

Cheah also testified that he helped Najib Abdul Razak open two bank accounts and apply for two credit cards with AmBank.

He was chauffeured to Najib's residence, and then ushered by Jho Low for the meeting with Najib.

Cheah said he was acquainted with Jho Low before the meeting with Najib. - Mkini