A WITNESS in Najib Razak’s corruption trial told the Kuala Lumpur High Court today that he had never met Penang-born fugitive Low Taek Jho at former Bank Negara governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz’s house. 

This came about about after Najib’s lead counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah was cross-examining the witness, ex-Ambank group managing director Cheah Tek Kuang. 

Cheah, who is the 39th witness, was asked if he had met Low, better known as Jho Low, at Zeti’s house.

Cheah told the court that he had only been to Zeti’s house once for a Hari Raya celebration and did not meet Low (at Zeti’s house). 

“Are you sure?” asked Shafee. 

“Very sure,” Cheah responded before judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah. 

Shafee went on to say that he has reliable information with some reliable proof Low was a frequent visitor to the former governor’s house. 

Cheah said he is not aware of the matter. 

At this juncture, lead prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram interjected, saying Zeti will be called up to testify. 

“She will have an answer,” said Sri Ram. 

Zeti and her family had been accused by blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin of receiving RM100 million from Jho Low.

Najib is standing trial for corruption involving RM2.28 billion in 1Malaysia Development Bhd funds. He faces 25 charges – four 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 Sdn Bhd. 

Last week, Cheah told the court he had met Zeti 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 (RM467.3 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”. 

Cheah said he first saw Low at Najib’s home in Kenny Hills. 

“I was picked up near my home and there was a convoy of cars to Najib’s house. It was then I saw Jho Low in one of the cars.

“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,” he had previously testified. – October 11, 2022.