‘Jho Low a master manipulator’
He also prepared a checklist of agencies to be engaged to close the investigations on the scandal, including the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the court was told.
(The Star) – From government-to-government negotiations and political strategy and to receipt of funds, the infamous Jho Low was Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s man, the High Court was told.
Low, whose full name is Low Taek Jho, was the deal maker. And with his reputation as having the penchant to splurge, it would only be fitting that his go-to email is [email protected].
The High Court here was also told that while Low would use random emails to contact Najib’s aides on 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) matters, dealrainman1 was the most widely used.
Describing Low as the “unofficial adviser” to Najib, former special officer Datuk Amhari Efendi Nazaruddin said he would be cc’ed in these emails that were sent to Najib’s principal private secretary, the late Datuk Seri Azlin Alias, who was also Amhari’s superior.
Following his years of dealing with Low, Amhari realised that the Penang-born fugitive financier was the “master manipulator” and that he was used by Low for dishonest purposes.
He added that Najib’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor was also very close to Low as he noticed that Low constantly received calls from Rosmah.
Low had also told Amhari that he got close to Najib’s family after knowing – Riza Shariz Abdul Aziz – the stepson, during their teenage years and it was Riza who introduced Low to Rosmah.
Rosmah had no objections for Low to be close to their family.
“Jho is smart in manipulation when dealing with officials of all levels, in or outside of Malaysia and this is within Najib’s knowledge.
“Azlin and I only knew about this when the 1MDB issue was reported as a misappropriation inside and outside the country as our jobs were divided into silos, ” said Amhari, adding that Low also used him to know Azlin better.
It was Amhari who arranged the first meeting between Low and Azlin at a hotel in 2009.
Subsequent evening meetings between the three would see Amhari and Azlin being quarantined between 30 minutes and an hour at Prince Hotel Kuala Lumpur before Low arrived, often in a batik shirt and in a rushed manner.
One to two bodyguards would escort Amhari and Azlin to the room when they arrived at the hotel lobby.
It would always be different hotel rooms for every meeting, which was held at least once a month.
“Jho is young, but I can see that he has charisma and ‘extraordinary powers’.
“Jho would instruct us from the Prime Minister’s Office, especially Azlin and I to carry out orders by Najib.
“Other individuals that he knew in the PMO would also carry out his instructions and most of them were done.
“As and when needed, Azlin or myself have asked Najib about Jho’s instructions for confirmation and most of the time, Najib said that he had agreed to the instructions, ” said Amhari.
Low would also instruct Amhari and Azlin to dispose of every document that was discussed for confidentiality and to prevent it from being leaked.
When the 1MDB controversy started being exposed by the media, Low through his talking points, ordered Amhari and Azlin to inform everyone in the PMO that it was all a manipulation by the Opposition and those who wanted to topple Najib.
Low also attached talking points to letters from the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia and the Malaysian Embassy in Saudi Arabia for the PMO’s media management, which were mostly handled by Paul Stadlen, to prepare a communications plan.
He also prepared a checklist of agencies to be engaged to close the investigations on the scandal, including the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the court was told.
The hearing continues.
