The High Court in Kuala Lumpur was informed that fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, had pursued his own objectives in exploiting SRC International Sdn Bhd and its parent company 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) for personal benefit, rather than following any plan of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Najib’s counsel, Muhammad Farhan Muhammad Shafee, argued that Jho Low had carefully positioned allies inside the company, including former SRC chief executive officer Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil, to carry out his scheme. According to the lawyer, the individuals involved had no need for Najib’s participation and, if anything, might have considered his involvement a hindrance since the then prime minister would likely have insisted on proper governance. It was further pointed out that Najib had supported investigations once the controversies surrounding the company came to light.
These submissions were made during proceedings in SRC’s USD1.18 billion civil suit against Najib and Nik Faisal, the latter still unaccounted for. Farhan emphasised that there was no evidence demonstrating Najib’s direct role in the alleged mismanagement of funds. He suggested that, if any collusion had taken place, it was confined to Jho Low and Nik Faisal, aided by certain directors of the company, without Najib’s knowledge or agreement.
The lawyer stressed that conspiracy under the law requires a party to be actively involved in the agreement. He contended that Najib should not be implicated merely because he was the political leader associated with SRC. Farhan urged the court to avoid assigning liability to Najib in the absence of proof, cautioning against allowing the scale of misconduct committed by others to create what he described as a scapegoat situation.
The hearing, presided over by Judge Datuk Ahmad Fairuz Zainol Abidin, has been scheduled to continue on September 24.
SRC, under new management since 2021, initiated the legal action alleging that Najib had committed breaches of trust, abused his position, and personally profited from the company’s funds. The company is seeking a court declaration holding Najib responsible for its financial losses and an order for him to repay RM42 million allegedly misappropriated.
Najib is currently serving his sentence in Kajang Prison following his conviction for the misappropriation of RM42 million from SRC International.
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