'Jho Low wanted me to destroy emails, but I kept them as evidence'

1MDB TRIAL | Fugitive businessperson Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low, wanted then 1MDB CEO Mohd Hazem Abd Rahman to destroy emails containing talking points linked to transactions involving the sovereign wealth fund, the Kuala Lumpur High Court heard today.

However, during former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s RM2.28 billion 1MDB corruption trial this afternoon, 10th prosecution witness Hazem testified that he instead kept the emails as evidence.

Hazem was replying to a question from DPP Mohamad Mustaffa P Kunyalam during the prosecution’s examination-in-chief.

The DPP questioned the witness on whether Low (above) had ever asked him to dispose of the numerous emails containing the fugitive’s talking points to tackle various issues linked to 1MDB.

Earlier today, Hazem testified that the emailed instructions from Low were akin to instructions from Najib, among others.

Mustaffa: Did Low tell you what to do with the emails?

Hazem: Low asked me to destroy (the emails).

Mustaffa: Did you do it?

Hazem: No.

Mustaffa: Why not?

Hazem: I wanted to record it as evidence.

During proceedings today as Hazem read up to page 40 of his 110-page written witness statement, the witness was referred to various 1MDB-linked emails which he identified.

Among them was an email from Low to Hazem dated Sept 4, 2013, titled “Fwd: 1mdb questions” enclosed with an attachment titled “1MDB power plant deal”.

“This document is among emails that I meant regarding chats and directions from Low when I was working with 1MDB.

“I received the email from Low (dealrainman1@gmail.com) on Sept 4, 2013, around 7.12pm,” Hazem said.

He told the court that the email was in regard to answers that needed to be given over questions raised on 1MDB’s acquisition of Independent Power Producers (IPP) Tanjong Energy and Genting Sanyen.

Hazem (above) said that Low's email provided suggested answers to various questions, such as one from a then opposition politician, who claimed that it was cheaper to build a new plant rather than to buy Genting (IPP), and if true then it looked like the government was trying to bail out cronies.

“The proposed answer from Low: 'This is not true because the profits showed it is more than the price paid to Genting and (billionaire T) Ananda (Krishnan)'. Low also sought additional input for the given answer,” Hazem testified.

In March 2012, it was reported that 1MDB bought Tanjong Energy from Ananda for RM8.5 billion.

The witness also referred to Low's email providing a suggested answer to a question on why international investment bank Goldman Sachs’s fees for the IPP deal was so high at US$200 million (RM829 million), and whether this was because the deal was done under the radar.

“The proposed answer from Low: 'The cost management is expensive because the transaction is complex'. Low also sought input on additional answers that can be added,” Hazem told judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah.

Hazem is expected to continue his testimony when court proceedings resume tomorrow morning.

Najib is on trial over four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering involving RM2.28 billion of funds from sovereign wealth fund 1MDB. - Mkini