The Malaysian Insight

FUGITIVE businessman Low Taek Jho, commonly known as Jho Low, served as “consigliere” to Najib Razak on matters relating to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), the Kuala Lumpur High Court heard today.

Consigliere is a Sicilian term for a top advisor or counsellor to a Mafia boss, popularised by the film The Godfather.

During cross-examination today, former 1MDB CEO Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi was questioned on Low’s role in 1MDB following a Terengganu Investment Authority board meeting in June 2009 where complaints were made by Terengganu palace officials about the Penang-born businessman.

Representatives of the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin told the board that Low had misrepresented himself as a special advisor to the Terengganu palace.

Lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah asked Shahrol to confirm whether Low represented the palace or Najib.

Shahrol: He was representing Najib. If I can use the Italian word “consigliere”. He was Najib’s consigliere.

Shafee: What is the word? Don’t complicate the issue.

Shahrol: He gets things done for Najib.

Shafee: I am asking you, Low represented Najib in what capacity. As the prime minister?

Shahrol: Both as the prime minister and finance minister, and the special shareholder (of 1MDB).

Shahrol then said he trusted Low and never confirmed with Najib on the businessman’s true role.

Shafee: You seem to be what the Italians call a “soprammobile”. A table ornament. Which doesn’t do any work. It just sits there. Like you. You agree? I am putting it to you.

Shahrol: I don’t agree.

Najib, 66, faces four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.3 billion from 1MDB and 21 charges of laundering the same amount.

Prosecutors have accused the former prime minister of conspiring with Low to defraud the state investor.

Meanwhile, Shahrol confirmed that Mubadala Development Company CEO Khaldoon Al Mubarak agreed in 2010 to serve on 1MDB’s international board of advisors.

Shahrol testified that he also “personally” met LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton SE CEO Bernard Arnault in Paris to offer him a seat on the board.

He said Arnault verbally agreed.

Shahrol said other members of the board were Citic Group chairman Chang Zhenming and former Qatar prime minister Jaber Al-Thani.

Shahrol said Low told him they agreed to be on the board. 

Najib is represented by a dozen lawyers, led by Shafee. 

Former Federal Court judge Gopal Sri Ram leads the prosecution before Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah.

The trial continues on Monday. – October 10, 2019.