Ex-banker surprised with Low's denial on their BBM chats over Najib's accounts

1MDB TRIAL | A former banker was surprised that Low Taek Jho (Jho Low) told MACC that he never messaged the former about managing Najib Abdul Razak’s bank accounts, the Kuala Lumpur High Court heard.

Former AmBank relationship manager Joanna Yu (above), who used to manage Najib’s accounts, was testifying during today’s RM2.28 billion 1MDB corruption trial against the former prime minister.

During the proceedings, lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah cross-examined the 41st prosecution witness about Low’s statement to the MACC in 2015.

Yu had previously testified numerous times about her communication with Low, via Blackberry Messenger (BBM), in relation to Najib’s accounts linked to the 1MDB case.

However, Shafee today read out excerpts of Low’s MACC statement, particularly on the fugitive businessperson’s denials.

Shafee: Are you surprised that Low said (to the MACC) he did not even recognise the BBM messages? In fact, he denied talking to you via the BBM.

Yu: I don’t know what he said (to MACC).

Shafee: I’m telling you what he (Low) said. I will also confront you with Low’s statement (to the MACC). Would you be surprised if Low denied this was your conversation with him via BBM?

Yu: Yes.

Shafee: Are you saying it is impossible for him not to remember talking to you as stated in the BBM chats?

Yu: I don’t know if he remembers. I’m not sure how he asked those questions.

Shafee: He was shown (by the MACC) the BBM chats and he said he did not recognise them and denied chatting with you. Would you say you were surprised by his denial?

Yu: Yes.

Yu was also a key prosecution witness during the 2019 trial of Najib in relation to the RM42 million SRC International corruption case. The accused is currently serving a 12-year jail sentence over the case.

Back on March 3, 2020, during the SRC trial, Low’s statement to the MACC was tendered, whereby the document revealed him making numerous denials against multiple allegations.

Fugitive businessperson Low Taek Jho

Among these denials were over the businessperson having any control over Najib's bank accounts, and that while he may have conveyed his views to Najib about 1MDB and SRC, he ultimately did not have the power to decide for others.

Low made the statement to the MACC when he was questioned in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Nov 27, 2015.

Tense atmosphere

The atmosphere turned tense several times in today’s 1MDB proceedings before trial judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah during Shafee’s grilling of Yu.

The lawyer was questioning her over the directions she took from Low over Najib’s accounts when the authorised mandate holder was Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil, the then chief investment officer of 1MDB. Nik Faisal also used to be the CEO of SRC, a former subsidiary of 1MDB.

SRC later became fully owned by the Minister of Finance Incorporated (MoF Inc), which also owned 1MDB.

Yu testified that it was because Low and Nik Faisal were in constant communication and meetings in relation to 1MDB and SRC then.

The authorities are still trying to track down Low and Nik Faisal to assist in the investigation into the 1MDB affair.

the trial before Sequerah resumes tomorrow. Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib was prosecuting.

Najib is facing four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering involving RM2.28 billion from 1MDB.

For the four abuse of power charges, the former Pekan MP is alleged to have committed the offences at AmIslamic Bank Berhad’s Jalan Raja Chulan branch in Bukit Ceylon, Kuala Lumpur, between Feb 24, 2011, and Dec 19, 2014.

On the 21 money laundering counts, the former finance minister is purported to have committed the offences at the same bank between March 22, 2013, and Aug 30, 2013.

The prosecution contended that the wrongdoing at 1MDB was carried out by Low and several others, with Najib’s blessing.

However, the accused’s defence team claimed Najib had no knowledge of the crime perpetrated at 1MDB and that Low, as well as other members of the fund’s management, had masterminded the embezzlement. - Mkini