KUALA LUMPUR (July 18): Former AmBank managing director (MD) Cheah Tek Kuang, the prosecution’s 50th witness, will continue to be cross examined by the defence in Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s SRC International Sdn Bhd trial as it enters the 40th day.
It is also expected that Joanna Yu, who was an Ambank relationship manager for Najib’s personal bank account, is next to take the stand.
Yesterday, Cheah, 72, told the court that fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho or Jho Low was at Najib’s personal home in Jalan Langgak Duta, when he went there to help open the former premier's bank accounts in 2011.
This came after Yu had informed him that Najib had expressed interest to open savings and current accounts with AmBank.
The former MD said prior to going to the Jalan Langgak Duta house, he contacted Najib's principal private secretary Datuk Seri Azlin Alias on where and when to meet the former premier.
During their meeting, the witness told the court that the former premier said he wanted to open the account as he would be receiving donations from Saudi Arabia, and the witness reminded him that he would have to follow rules and regulations.
Najib subsequently opened a basic savings account 211-002-00904801 on Jan 18, 2011 and a current account 211-202-200969-4 on Jan 13, 2011. The witness also said the former premier also opened the two credit cards — a Visa Platinum and a Mastercard Platinum.
Cheah added that an AmPrivate Banking-MR code name was used for Najib's current account as Jho Low made a request to Yu for the account to be dealt with the strictest confidence.
He was testifying in Najib's criminal breach of trust, abuse of power and money laundering charges involving RM42 million of SRC International Sdn Bhd's funds.
The Edge is bringing the trial involving Malaysia’s former highest-ranking politician who led the country for nine years live.