KUALA LUMPUR: Low Taek Jho had prepared frequently asked questions (FAQ) to help Najib Razak answer questions on the fugitive businessman’s role in 1MDB, the High Court hearing the corruption trial of the former prime minister was told today.
Amhari Efendi Nazaruddin, who was Najib’s special officer, said the purported list of FAQs was given to him and Azlin Alias, the former principle private secretary to Najib.
“The FAQs served as underlying statements for relevant key individuals to say. It was also suggested for Najib to say this as well,” he told defence lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.
He said the FAQ denies Low’s role in 1MDB, including the claim that he was one of the many advisers appointed by the then Agong, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, to Terengganu Investment Authority (TIA), the precursor to 1MDB, from January to May 2009.
In their opening statement last week, the prosecution had said that Low was Najib’s “alter ego”, and that both had acted as one at all material times.
Najib is facing 25 charges of money laundering and power abuse involving RM2.28 billion of 1MDB funds.
Amhari further said that he and Azlin had several night meetings with Low at a hotel here.
He also told the court that Low was close to Najib’s wife, Rosmah Mansor.
He said the businessman had attended private functions hosted by Rosmah at the couple’s private residence in Kuala Lumpur.
“She spoke fondly of him,” Amhari said, adding that he heard Low had been talking to Rosmah on the phone during their night meetings at the hotel.
“It was very loud,” Amhari said.
Hearing continues before High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah.