1MDB TRIAL | Low Taek Jho told then prime minister Najib Abdul Razak not to say much during a meeting with auditor KPMG regarding 1MDB’s overseas investment, the Kuala Lumpur High Court heard today.
Former 1MDB chief financial officer Azmi Tahir testified that wanted businessperson Low (also known as Jho Low) gave this direction to Najib via an email dated Dec 15, 2013.
The 12th prosecution witness claimed that the email, titled "Urgent: Briefing Package for YAB PM dated Dec 15 2013”, was also sent to him prior to the meeting with KPMG, 1MDB board members, Najib and several others at the then premier’s house on that date.
During previous trial proceedings in September last year, the 10th prosecution witness and former 1MDB CEO Mohd Hazem Abd Rahman testified that KPMG officials had met Najib on Dec 15, 2013.
The purpose of the meeting was to satisfy questions by KPMG regarding the details of 1MDB's US$2.3 billion "investment" in Brazen Sky Ltd, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, in particular the details of the assets held.
The prosecution contended that the purported investment is part of a convoluted monetary trail with the intent of putting funds into Najib’s personal accounts.
During the examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor T Deepa Nair this morning, Azmi testified that the email was meant to prepare talking points for Najib and the witness when facing KPMG officials during the meeting on Dec 15, 2013.
“As the PM has been briefed by the chairperson of 1MDB and management of 1MDB on several occasions, the PM was recommended not to engage in a lengthy discussion with KPMG over the issues, although the PM may offer them a brief opportunity to air their views.
“PM to state clearly that he has been briefed and heard both sides, and is aware of the transactions and comfortable with them given all the facts,” Azmi read out from Low’s purported email.
“Jho Low had directed Najib not to speak much with KPMG, and must state that Najib had been briefed and knew about the investment and transaction of 1MDB and have faith with the documents at hand.
“Jho Low had also directed Najib to state his confidence over BSI Bank regarding the facts given,” Azmi explained to trial judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah.
BSI Bank was purportedly involved in the convoluted monetary trail involving 1MDB’s funds.
“I had gone to Najib’s house on the night of Dec 15, 2013. I found that Najib already had Jho Low’s email with him.
“The matters laid out by Jho Low in the email were already discussed by Najib to Johan Idris, who was a representative from KPMG,” Azmi claimed.
Major influence
Currently being sought by the authorities, Low was alleged to have a very close relationship with Najib, who was also the finance minister and chairperson of 1MDB’s board of advisors.
The fugitive businessperson was also purported to have a major influence on 1MDB to such an extent that Azmi and several other personnel worked in silos, and that the witness abided by Low’s directions as the latter was perceived to carry the mandate of Najib.
During proceedings, Najib’s defence counsel Wan Aizuddin Wan Mohammed raised several objections to several parts of Azmi’s testimony, on grounds of hearsay among other reasons.
The defence team has always contended then that Hazem, Azmi and several other 1MDB officials were in cahoots with Low in the suspicious transfers of funds out of the sovereign wealth fund.
The former prime minister’s legal team also contended that the accused had no knowledge of any wrongdoing taking place at 1MDB.
The trial before Sequerah is set to continue this afternoon.
Najib is on trial for four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering involving RM2.28 billion of 1MDB’s funds.
1MDB is fully owned by the Minister of Finance Incorporated (MOF Inc). - Mkini
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