Kuala lumpur: The High Court today was told that fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, took steps to prevent cheques issued from Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's private AmBank accounts from bouncing.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, former AmBank relationship manager Joanna Yu Ging Ping, 54, testified that Jho Low instructed her to ensure that cheques from Najib's accounts did not bounce. Yu mentioned that Jho Low's associates would sometimes deposit cash into the account when it was overdrawn, indicating his concern over the bank's honoring of cheques due to insufficient funds.

Yu recounted instances where Jho Low would contact her to inquire about the balance in Najib's account. She shared this information during the examination-in-chief by Najib's counsel Muhammad Farhan Muhammad Shafee in the RM42 million civil suit filed by SRC International Sdn Bhd and its subsidiary, Gandingan Mentari Sdn Bhd, against Najib.

Yu also mentioned that she had questioned Jho Low and Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil, the mandate holder for Najib's account and former SRC International CEO, on several occasions about the lack of sufficient funds before issuing cheques. When asked by Muhammad Farhan if this behavior was typical for account holders, Yu replied that these were not ordinary accounts, emphasizing the unique nature of accounts belonging to a Prime Minister.

The 2021 civil suit, filed by SRC and Gandingan Mentari, seeks a declaration that Najib is liable for the RM42 million, along with damages for knowing receipt, dishonest assistance, misfeasance in public office, and abuse of power. The hearing will continue tomorrow before Justice Datuk Raja Ahmad Mohzanuddin Shah Raja Mohzan.