Bank Negara analyst makes explosive revelation on alleged millions received by Najib from 1MDB funds via Jho Low
A Bank Negara analyst has made another explosive revelation regarding how Datuk Seri Najib Razak allegedly received millions of ringgit that originated from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) funds via fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho.
(NST) – Adam Ariff Mohd Roslan, 29, said the former prime minister received US$30 million from Blackstone Asia Real Estate Partners – a shell company linked to the rogue businessman in 2012.
He said the monies were remitted in two tranches – US$5 million on Oct 30, 2012, and US$25 million on Nov 19, the same year.
“Standard Chartered bank for ordering customer Blackstone Asia Real Estate Partners records confirm that the beneficiary account for both transfers is account number ‘2112022009694’ held under the name ‘AmPrivate Banking – MR’ with AmIslamic.
“Examination on the bank statement and records dated on 31 Oct 2012 and 20 Nov 2012 for the account number 2112022009694 maintained in the name of ”AmPrivate Banking – MR and/or Datuk Seri Mohd Najib And Razak’ provided by AmIslamic, matched the transfers,” he said.
Adam Ariff said this when testifying in Najib’s corruption trial for misappropriating RM2.3 billion from 1MDB before presiding judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah.
Yesterday, the 47th prosecution witness revealed that the former Pekan member of parliament received RM60.6 million from the Saudi prince in 2011.
He said Prince Faisal Bin Turki Bin Bandar Alsaud gave the monies to Najib via two tranches between Feb 23 and June 13, 2011, respectively from the former’s Riyad Bank.
However, Adam Ariff believed that the account (Riyad) was a “pass-through” account to transfer money belonging to 1MDB.
He said Good Star Ltd, an entity owned by Low Taek Jho, had previously sent millions of funds to the same account in Riyad bank purportedly owned by Prince Faisal.
He also testified that Low through Good Star received US$810 million belonging to the sovereign wealth fund in a span of three years.
He disclosed that 1MDB had transferred US$700 million and US$110 million into the RBS Coutts account belonging to Good Star in 2011.
He said the Good Star account was empty prior to the US$700 million remittance from 1MDB.
Najib, 70, is facing four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.3 billion from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.
Hearing before presiding judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues.
