Kuala Lumpur: The High Court was told today that an associate of fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, deposited cash into the accounts of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak between 2014 and 2015.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigating officer Raywel Anduroh confirmed this information in court. He agreed with portions of the late Kee Kok Thiam’s statement, which was read by deputy public prosecutor Deepa Nair Thevaharan. Raywel stated that in 2023, he recorded a statement from Kok Thiam, who admitted to depositing cash into Najib’s accounts upon the instruction of Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil, who was authorized to manage these accounts.

Raywel further noted that Kok Thiam expressed concern following the Pakatan Harapan government’s victory in the 2018 general election. “He told us that he found out Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad became the prime minister. He was worried that Datuk Seri Najib might be investigated,” Raywel said. Kok Thiam also mentioned that Jho Low advised him and others not to return to Malaysia and to observe the unfolding political situation.

Raywel added that Jho Low had warned Kok Thiam that returning to Malaysia could result in scrutiny over the 2014 and 2015 cash deposits. The witness confirmed that Kok Thiam passed away on May 29, 2023, shortly after his return to Malaysia.

The ongoing trial, presided over by Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah, previously ordered Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to enter his defense on October 30 last year. This decision was made after the prosecution established a prima facie case against him. Najib, who is 71 years old, faces four charges of abusing his position to receive bribes totaling RM2.3 billion from 1MDB funds, along with 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount. The trial is scheduled to continue next Tuesday.