NAJIB Razak’s former special officer told the Kuala Lumpur High Court today he followed Low Taek Jho’s instructions because he was fearful of the “powers that be”.

During cross-examination, lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah accused Amhari Efendi Nazaruddin of lying about being forced by Low – better known as Jho Low – to open an account in Singapore in 2012.

Amhari, Najib’s special officer between 2008 and 2016, denied that he received US$800,000 in that account as a reward for helping Low with illicit transactions. 

The witness said he, in fact, felt threatened by Low and “indirectly” by Najib himself.

Shafee: You must have some idea. Who would threaten your life? Or are you saying Datuk Seri Najib would carry the gun and shoot you?

Amhari: The powers that be. So the prime minister has all the authority and power to do many things. When I say life, I don’t mean my life, I meant my livelihood. The conduct of my day-to-day life and I would not know how Jho Low would interpret this and relate it to Datuk Seri Najib.

Earlier, Ahmari was asked if the threat came from Najib.

Amhari: Not directly but Jho Low has the blessings of Najib.

Shafee: You could have just asked Najib. It’s a simple thing. You could’ve asked him if he authorised this. If that is done, the threat is not there.

Amhari: I disagree.

Amhari yesterday testified that he was afraid of being used to cover up criminal activities linked to 1Malaysia Development Bhd, following a meeting with Najib in June 2016, when he was ordered to travel to China to negotiate a bailout for the state investor.

“Although I respected and followed Najib, it was the hardest moment for me,” he told the court.

“I was worried I would be involved in a ‘percaturan’ (chess game) by Najib and Jho Low if it was to cover up the loss of 1MDB funds or the settlement of IPIC (International Petroleum Investment Company) debts that involved stolen 1MDB funds, or the use of such funds for political funding.”

Najib faces four counts of power abuse to enrich himself by RM2.3 billion, and 21 counts of laundering the same amount.

The 66-year-old is represented by a dozen lawyers led by Shafee.

Gopal Sri Ram, a former Federal Court judge, leads the prosecution, while Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah presides.  – September 5, 2019.