KUALA LUMPUR: A former AmBank managing director told the High Court here Wednesday (Oct 5) that fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho was present at Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s residence during the setting up of the former premier’s bank account.
Cheah Tek Kuang, who is currently a non-independent and non-executive director at the bank, went over to the Pekan MP’s home in Langgak Duta as he was tasked to collect Najib’s signature for various forms to open a bank account with AmBank.
He had testified on Tuesday (Oct 4) that the bank account was opened to receive a US$100mil from Saudi Arabia, which he was told was a contribution for Najib’s work in championing Islam.
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Cheah said as he arrived at the residence in a car, Low or better known as Jho Low, came out from another car.
To a question by Najib’s lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, Cheah said Low did not interact with him.
Shafee: Do you know Jho Low?
Cheah: I know little of him.
The witness also testified that prior to the meeting at Najib’s home, Low had wanted to meet with him as the bank’s managing director and a lunch was arranged for that purpose.
“But he has a habit of turning up late,” he said.
Cheah said Low was not late for a mere five minutes but rather more than 30 minutes.
The witness said after two or three meetings, where Low still turned up late, he did not entertain further meeting requests from Low.
Najib, 69, is facing four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.28bil from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.
The hearing continues before Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah.