“Of course he will sing to whatever tune that can save himself! A self-serving statement such as this must be taken with a shovel of salt,” lawyer Muhammad Farhan Muhammad Shafee told FMT in a text message.
He said it was important to look at the statement in its true context as Low, better known as Jho Low, had not only admitted to wrongdoing but “we now know he has been trying to cut a deal with the PH government to escape prosecution.”
In any case, Farhan said the defence team had always been clear in its position, to bring Jho Low back and put him on the stand.
“Let’s see if his story survives the test of cross-examination,” he added.
Recordings of Jho Low’s conversations with government officials were revealed in an Al Jazeera documentary.
In the clips contained in the two-part special investigation titled “Jho Low: Hunt For A Fugitive”, he turned on the others connected to the 1MDB financial scandal.
“I don’t believe there’s any wrongdoing,” the alleged mastermind of the 1MDB scandal is heard saying.
He suggests that he borrowed the billions from 1MDB to buy luxury items, including high-end real estate, art pieces, a private jet and a mega-yacht.
“All these ultimately were loans, directly or indirectly, but, ultimately, I think the time has come, we want to assist in repatriating these assets back in return for cooperating and moving on with life without, you know, being prosecuted,” he says.
In the recordings, Low also blames Najib, the former prime minister and finance minister for the 1MDB scandal, saying he (Low) had no authority to make any decision.
Najib is facing 25 charges of abuse of power and money laundering over alleged 1MDB funds amounting to RM2.28 billion deposited into his AmBank accounts between February 2011 and December 2014.
The trial which began in September last year will resume on Dec 14, with the defence still cross-examining former 1MDB CEO and 10th prosecution witness Mohd Hazem Abdul Rahman.
At the trial, in the opening statement, the prosecution said Najib placed himself in sole control of important matters concerning the business and affairs of 1MDB.
Additionally, the trial heard that Najib had used his position as chairman of the company’s board of advisers to do certain acts and to exert influence over the board of 1MDB to carry out certain abnormal transactions with undue haste.
The prosecution said Jho Low was an important character in the charade and Najib by his words and conduct made it clear to 1MDB’s officers, its board and others that Jho Low was his alter ego.
“The prosecution will establish facts which will give rise to an irresistible inference that Jho Low and the accused acted as one at all material times,” ad-hoc prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram said.
However, the defence contends that Jho Low was a master manipulator and had conducted 1MDB affairs without Najib’s consent and knowledge.