A late-night conversation between a former AmBank relationship manager and fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho or Jho Low in 2014 was of no benefit to either of them, the High Court heard today.
Joanna Yu Ging Ping, 52, who communicated with Jho Low through BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) chats between 12.41 am and 11.36am on Aug 21, 2014, said it was about the issuance of a RM5 million cheque to Umno.
Yu, who handled Najib Razak’s accounts at that time, said this during re-examination by deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib at Najib’s trial on the misappropriation of RM2.3 billion in 1MDB funds.
Akram: When the late-night conversation took place on Aug 21, 2014, what was discussed between you and Jho Low?
Yu: He told me at around 12.41am to arrange the RM5 million cheque to Umno. I read the message around 1am and said okay and asked, which account?
Akram: So it (the chat) was about the money to be paid to Umno? To whose benefit was this?
Yu: Umno, I suppose.
Akram: The conversation was not for the benefit of you or Jho Low, but for Umno?
Yu: Yes, to make sure the cheque didn’t bounce.
The 41st prosecution witness also told the court that she often met Jho Low at his apartment at Jalan Kia Peng to get his signature on bank papers relating to 1MDB projects.
Akram: It was not for any personal thing between you and Jho Low?
Yu: No, it was only for work.
Najib, 69, faces four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.3 billion from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering.
Najib is alleged to have committedthe corruption offences at the Jalan Raja Chulan branch of AmIslamic Bank Berhad at No. 55, Jalan Raja Chulan, Bukit Ceylon between Feb 24, 2011, and Dec 19, 2014, while the money laundering offences were allegedly committed at the same bank between March 22, 2013 and Aug 30, 2013.
The hearing before judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues.
