KUALA LUMPUR: It was fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, more famously known as Jho Low, who ran 1MDB, the company’s former chief executive officer (CEO) Mohd Hazem Abdul Rahman told the High Court.
Testifying in Najib Razak’s trial, he said that although he was the most senior management staff, he was unable to take control of 1MDB’s finances and investments.
“That was not how it was in 1MDB,” he said, in response to questions by Najib’s lawyer Wan Aizuddin Wan Mohammed during cross-examination.
Hazem was testifying at the former prime minister’s trial on 25 charges of abuse of power and money laundering over funds amounting to RM2.28 billion which were deposited in his bank accounts between February 2011 and December 2014.
Wan Aizuddin then questioned the witness on 1MDB’s “work culture”, and pointed out that Hazem, through his witness statement, had voiced frustration over the company’s financial matters.
Previously, Hazem said he was powerless to resist Low’s orders as Low was the former prime minister’s “right hand man”.
Wan Aizuddin: How did you voice out your frustration to him?
Hazem: On BBM (BlackBerry Messenger).
Asked if he was ever “threatened” by the fugitive businessman for questioning 1MDB’s affairs, Hazem said Low never made any threats against him.
“I think this was how 1MDB worked. It is either you follow the instructions or you don’t. If you refuse, it is better for you to leave,” Hazem said.
He left 1MDB in January 2015 after having been CEO for less than two years.
Wan Aizuddin then asked the witness if it was “unusual” for Low to address him as “boss”, as the fugitive businessman had used this phrase in several email correspondents.
“Sometimes, Jho Low would address me in such a way. Like you go to mamak restaurant. You can call anyone ‘boss’,” Hazem said, dismissing the notion that he was deemed a “significant person” to Low.
The hearing continues before High Court Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah tomorrow.- FMT