Impressed with Low’s intelligence.
Low Taek Jho (Jho Low) claimed to have a strong relationship with Najib Abdul Razak as early as 2008, testified Tengku Rahimah Sultan Mahmud, younger sister of Terengganu’s Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin.
Rahimah, a defence witness for Najib, told the High Court in Putrajaya about the fugitive businessperson’s remarks regarding the then deputy prime minister and finance minister. During cross-examination by deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib in the RM2.27 billion 1MDB abuse of power and money laundering trial, she confirmed Low’s claims of ties to Najib.
Akram: Did Low ever convey to Tengku Rahimah that he had a good relationship with Najib? Rahimah: Yes, he did.
Najib served as Malaysia’s deputy prime minister from 2004 to April 2009.
Rahimah recalled first meeting Low in 2008, finding him intelligent and composed. “Despite his confidence, he was not pushy, which made his approach even more effective and engaging,” she said. She saw no reason to doubt Low when introducing him to Sultan Mizan.
Several prosecution witnesses testified that Low frequently name-dropped influential figures. They also confirmed his role in establishing 1MDB’s predecessor, the Terengganu Investment Authority (TIA), in February 2009. Later that year, the federal government, through the Minister of Finance Incorporated (MOF Inc), took over TIA and rebranded it as 1MDB.
Prosecution witnesses also stated that Sultan Mizan, then Yang di-Pertuan Agong, was furious with Low, describing him as an unsavoury character.
Rahimah revealed that the late Sarawak chief minister Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud’s son-in-law, Datuk Syed Ahmad Alwee Alsree, introduced her to Low at his Petronas Twin Towers office in KLCC, Kuala Lumpur. She described it as an “impressive office,” where Low shared details of his background, qualifications, and business ventures.
She found Low to be a “highly accomplished young man” whose success was evident in his achievements, the prestigious office location, and its sophisticated design. She was also struck by his emphasis on having studied at Harrow School in the UK and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
When questioned by Najib’s lead defence lawyer, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, Rahimah admitted she believed Low was a Wharton graduate, unaware that he was a dropout and had only attended Harrow for two years instead of the required five.
Describing her first meeting with Low as a “casual introduction,” she noted that he appeared well-connected and was exceptionally persuasive. “His thought process, presentation of ideas, and reasoning were impressive. Additionally, he supported his arguments with well-presented data, making them highly convincing. He also had a jovial demeanour and a natural ability to put people at ease,” she said.
She reiterated that she had no reason to doubt Low or his credibility based on her limited encounters with him.
Najib recently concluded his testimony in the criminal trial after 26 days of defence.