EX-AMBANK group managing director Cheah Tek Kuang told the Kuala Lumpur High Court that he did not dare ask why Najib Razak was about to receive a US$100 million (RM465 million) donation from Saudi Arabia in 2011.  

Cheah, who is the 39th witness, said this when he was questioned by lead defence counsel Mohammed Shafee Abdullah on his visit to the former prime minister’s home to assist in opening up an Ambank account for him.  

“Najib said he will be receiving US$100 million from Saudi Arabia. I did not dare ask him any more questions,” he said.  

Shafee had questioned Cheah if he had further queried Najib on the contribution from Saudi Arabia, as he had to answer to Bank Negara Malaysia.  

Cheah replied that all he knew was that it was a donation and left immediately after getting Najib to sign several documents to open up a bank account.  

Shafee then asked Cheah about his trip to Najib’s home and what had transpired during the meeting.  

Cheah said that at that time he was taken to Najib’s residence in Kenny Hills to discuss the matter of his bank account.  

“I was picked up near my home and there was a convoy of cars to Najib’s home. It was then I also saw Low Taek Jho or Jho Low in one of the cars,” he said. 

“I went into the house and then to a separate room from Jho Low. He did not talk to me and I did not talk to him at all.” 

Cheah also said that Jho Low had no dealings with Ambank. 

He said he only met Jho Low—who had a habit of coming late—a few times. 

During the prosecution’s opening statement, they claimed that the RM2.08 billion originated from companies linked to the fugitive businessman Jho Low.

However, the defence is claiming that the money is a donation from a friendly Arab nation.

Yesterday, Cheah told the court that he had met former Bank Negara Malaysia governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz to inform her of Najib’s incoming funds.  

He said after meeting Najib, he made an appointment to meet with Zeti.  

Cheah said the purpose of the meeting was to inform her of the opening of Najib’s account and the incoming funds of US$100 million from Saudi Arabia. 

He said the meeting with Zeti was discreet and it was only the two of them discussing Najib’s account “since this matter was a secret and involved the interests of the prime minister”. 

“It was important that Zeti was aware as it involved a ‘politically exposed person’ (PEP). 

“Meaning, it involved the interests of the country.” 

He said Zeti took note and requested that it should be done in accordance with existing banking and BNM regulations. 

Najib is standing trial for corruption involving RM2.28 billion in 1Malaysia Development Bhd funds. He faces 25 charges – 4 for abuse of power and 21 for money laundering – for offences committed between 2011 and 2013.  

He is currently serving 12 years in Kajang Prison, having been convicted of misappropriating funds from SRC International. – October 5, 2022.