KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 3): Datuk Seri Najib Razak said that he was not sure how fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho (Jho Low) obtained his personal mobile phone number, but because he was the prime minister back then, many Malaysians would have the phone number.

Taking the stand to testify in his defence in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd-Tanore (1MDB-Tanore) trial, Najib, who had earlier in the day distanced himself from Jho Low, said that he became acquainted with the Penang-born fugitive through his stepson Riza Aziz. 

“I am not entirely certain when Jho Low obtained my personal mobile phone number. However, I became acquainted with him through my stepson, Riza Aziz, who knew Jho Low's younger brother, Taek Szen, from their time together in London, and specifically at the London School of Economics,” Najib said. 

The former finance minister said that the family connection likely facilitated Jho Low's access to his contact information. 

“At the same time, many Malaysians would also have my personal mobile number. I must say it is the Malaysian political culture, not just with me, but also true of previous prime ministers and other ministers,” he said. 

However, Najib also labelled the businessman as “exceptional”, as Jho Low had close ties to the Middle Eastern royalty and played a pivotal role in securing a significant US$500 million investment from Mubadala, Abu Dhabi's prominent sovereign wealth fund, for the Iskandar Johor project in 2008. 

“I was fully aware of Jho Low's close ties to the Middle Eastern royalty, and his skill in leveraging these relationships, as he had demonstrated his ability to establish high-level partnerships. A notable example was his role in facilitating Mubadala's involvement in the Iskandar project in 2008, which resulted in a significant US$500 million investment from Abu Dhabi's prominent sovereign wealth fund. This was real and not a scam,” Najib said. 

“For someone of his age — I believe he was only 26 years old at the time — securing Mubadala's participation in such a major Malaysian initiative was exceptional, and highlighted the substantial trust he had cultivated with influential figures in the Middle East,” Najib said. 

He then testified about his meeting with Jho Low in early September 2009, where the businessman, now 43 years old, had informed Najib that the then chief executive officer of 1MDB, Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi, and Saudi Prince Turki bin Abdullah Al-Saud had been in discussions over a proposed bilateral collaboration with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through PetroSaudi International Ltd.

“Jho Low also mentioned that the management team at 1MDB was highly enthusiastic about the proposed joint venture with PetroSaudi International Ltd and that, following the presentation, the 1MDB board of directors was seriously considering the proposal,” Najib said. 

“I distinctly recall being impressed by Jho Low's direct communication with His Royal Highness Prince Turki, the favourite son of King Abdullah. The prospect of fostering stronger ties with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was very appealing, as such a relationship could greatly benefit Malaysia.

“I saw the potential for enhancing the welfare of Muslims in Malaysia, including the possibility of securing an increase in the haj quota — a matter of great importance to all Muslims,” Najib said. 

The former Umno president explained that this was why he granted a meeting to Jho Low, and that the meeting lasted 15 minutes. 

Lead defence counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah on Tuesday asked Najib if he had authorised Jho Low to convey instructions to his special officers on his behalf.

Najib: No, never. Moreover, I would expect my officers not to accept such representation by Jho Low without counterchecking with me. 

Shafee: Would you agree that it was the responsibility of a special officer, or any of your other officers, to verify instructions directly with you, rather than assuming they originated from you, simply because they were conveyed by Jho Low?

Najib: Yes, given that I was the prime minister at the time, it was essential for my special officers, or any of my other officers, to confirm instructions directly with me, to ensure accuracy and uphold the integrity of communications. This approach was expected of all my special officers, or any of my other officers, in order to prevent any assumptions or misinterpretations, especially when messages were conveyed by third parties like Jho Low. 

In this trial, Najib is facing four abuse of power and 21 money-laundering charges.

The trial before judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues. 

Read also:
Najib: MACC IO deranged, deluded and unversed with diplomacy to suggest that I had G2G meeting on yacht
1MDB-Tanore: Najib says he only learnt details of 2009 bond flip during the trial 
1MDB-Tanore: Najib reiterates that he never inserted influence in TIA’s federalisation
1MDB-Tanore: Najib distances himself from Jho Low, says never conveyed instructions, wishes through the fugitive businessman
Najib disputes Ismee and Shahrol’s testimony on IMTN for TIA