KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low had a significant role in 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) due to his strategic relationship with several Middle East royalties.
In an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini, Najib said Low had special relationship with the late King Abdullah Abdulaziz Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia and his family as well as several monarchies in United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“He had somehow developed these relationships which could be of value to Malaysia. That was in that context.
“It was with this context that Low represented the Middle-East partners and their dealings and partnerships with 1MDB,” he was quoted as saying.
Najib said he was aware of good relationship between Low and the royalties; however he had no knowledge on what Low did with them.
Najib said before he became the country’s sixth prime minister as well as the establishment of 1MDB, Low was already in charge of three listed companies and had significant investments in Iskandar Malaysia in Johor with funding purportedly coming from certain Middle East countries.
“He certainly impressed many including me with his strong Middle East connections,” Najib was quoted as saying by the newsportal.
Najib also said that the late King Abdullah had given the blessings for 1MDB to enter into a joint-venture with PetroSaudi.
“In fact, the Saudi Arabia embassy in Malaysia, as well as a major bank from there, had written letters of support for PetroSaudi,” he told Malaysiakini.
PetroSaudi belongs to Prince Turki Abdullah Al Saud, the seventh son of the late King Abdullah.
In the interview, Najib also said that good relationship between Malaysia and the Saudi government has helped for higher Haj pilgrimage quota for Malaysians.
Meanwhile, when asked on whether he had been in touch with Low, Najib said it was some time ago.
“Yes, I did (communicate with him) and he said it was not for him. He said he was acting on a Middle-Eastern royal member’s behalf. That was the response he gave,” he was quoted as saying in the interview.
The United States Department of Justice (DoJ) has alleged Low for misappropriation of 1MDB funds with purchase of luxury properties and artwork among others, as well as a superyacht worth USD250 million.