![[X] Zulaikha Farhana](/_ipx/q_80&s_60x60/https://cdn.newswav.com/ugc-assets/31-1700639405060-1942-1700556722855-WhatsApp-Image-2023-11-20-at-5.33.07-PM.jpeg)
Former 1MDB general counsel Jasmine Loo revealed in the High Court today that fugitive Jho Low, also known as Low Taek Jho, deposited nearly RM100 million into her account. This bombshell was dropped by Najib Razak's defence counsel, Shafee Abdullah, who indicated that this information came from a deputy inspector-general of police.
Loo did not dispute the amount stated by Shafee, admitting that the money was indeed deposited into her account between 2011 and 2014, with the bulk of it coming in 2014. When questioned by Shafee about why Jho Low would give her such a large sum, Loo claimed that she held the money in trust and eventually became a beneficiary, considering it a gift.
Loo left her position at 1MDB in November 2013 after serving for two-and-a-half years, expressing a desire to pursue other opportunities such as investment. She revealed that she is now paying approximately RM2.5 million to the Inland Revenue Board from the RM100 million received.
Regarding her return to Malaysia last July, Loo stated that she did not negotiate with the police or the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission for her safe return. Instead, her lawyers were in discussion with former attorney-general Idrus Harun. She emphasized that she sought a safe passage from Myanmar without involving the Malaysian embassy there.
Loo also disclosed an intriguing detail about her journey, stating that she entered Myanmar illegally from Bangkok in 2019, despite carrying a Malaysian passport. With Low's assistance, she was provided with a fake Myanmar passport to move freely within the country.
During the cross-examination, Shafee also inquired about Jho Low's relationship with Tawfiq Ayman, the husband of former Bank Negara Malaysia governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz. However, Loo claimed ignorance about their relationship. Nonetheless, she did agree with Shafee that Jho Low mentioned he would "take care" of Zeti.
Najib Razak is currently facing 25 charges for abuse of power and money laundering related to alleged 1MDB funds totaling RM2.28 billion deposited into his AmBank accounts between February 2011 and December 2014. The trial has been adjourned to April 22.
It's important to note that the trial judge, Collin Lawrence Sequerah, dismissed objections from the deputy public prosecutor, Mustaffa Kunyalam, who argued that the line of questioning about Loo's journey and her interactions with Jho Low was irrelevant to Najib's charges. Judge Sequerah deemed the questioning as an attempt by the defence to challenge Loo's credibility.
The revelation of such a significant sum being deposited into Loo's account raises further questions about the intricate web of financial transactions surrounding the 1MDB scandal. The defence's line of questioning also hints at potential connections between Jho Low and high-profile individuals, such as Zeti Akhtar Aziz, adding layers of intrigue to the case.
As the trial unfolds, more details are likely to emerge, shedding light on the extent of Jho Low's influence and the alleged misappropriation of funds from 1MDB. The next court date, set for April 22, will likely bring forth additional revelations that could impact the trajectory of the case against Najib Razak and other key figures implicated in the scandal.
Following the recent revelations in the trial, the case against Najib Razak has taken a significant turn, with the spotlight now shining brightly on the intricate financial dealings and alleged improprieties surrounding 1MDB. The revelation of the substantial sum deposited into Loo's account underscores the complex network of transactions that have come under scrutiny in this high-profile case.
The defence's attempts to challenge Loo's credibility and delve into her interactions with Jho Low hint at a strategy to shift the focus away from Najib and onto other individuals involved in the scandal. By raising questions about Jho Low's relationships with prominent figures like Zeti Akhtar Aziz's husband, Tawfiq Ayman, the defence is aiming to cast doubt on the prosecution's narrative and create a more nuanced understanding of the events that transpired.
As the trial progresses, it is likely that more details will emerge, painting a clearer picture of the alleged wrongdoing and the individuals involved. The next court date on April 22 promises to be crucial, as it may reveal further insights into the extent of Jho Low's influence and the role he played in the 1MDB scandal.
Overall, the trial against Najib Razak continues to captivate the nation, serving as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in governance. As the proceedings unfold, all eyes will be on the courtroom, awaiting the next twist in this gripping saga of power, money, and intrigue.
Zulaikha Farhana is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact Newswav.
