Jho Low introduced me to Najib, ex-banker tells court

 

Former AmBank managing director Cheah Tek Kuang says fugitive financier Low Taek Jho was in one of the cars that had gone to Najib Razak’s house. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: A former AmBank managing director told the High Court in Najib Razak’s 1MDB trial that fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, commonly known as Jho Low, was the person who introduced him to the former prime minister.

Cheah Tek Kuang said he went to Najib’s Langgak Duta house some time in January 2011 to obtain his signature for account application forms.

Cheah, who had stated earlier that he travelled in a convoy of cars to Najib’s house, told the court that when he arrived at Langgak Duta, he saw Low coming out from one of the other cars.

“When I walked into the house, Low introduced me to the (then) prime minister,” he said in reply to ad hoc prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram, adding that Low walked away after the introduction.

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Sri Ram: Did you tell the court that you were nervous (meeting Najib)?

Cheah: I feel uncomfortable dealing with any VIP.

He said he left immediately after Najib finished signing the forms.

“I don’t know where he (Low) was (after the introduction). I presume he was in the house,” he said, when asked about Low’s whereabouts at the time he was leaving.

Najib is standing trial on 25 charges of abuse of power and money laundering over alleged 1MDB funds amounting to RM2.28 billion deposited into his AmBank accounts between February 2011 and December 2014.

The hearing before justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues. - FMT