“It was not (to get the Chinese government) to settle 1MDB and SRC International’s debts,” Najib told the High Court during his 1MDB trial.

The former prime minister instead insisted that he had sought Low’s help to secure Chinese investment into mega projects in the country.

“I hoped we (Malaysia) could garner more wealth (by embarking on mega projects),” he said.

He cited the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) as an example of a mega project collaboration between Malaysia and China.

Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib then asked why Najib insisted on using Low’s services given his “notorious reputation”.

“Since 2015, Jho Low was the person everyone said was the mastermind in misappropriating 1MDB funds. Why did you still need him to help Amhari in China?” said Akram, referring to Amhari Efendi Nazaruddin, Najib’s special officer at the time.

Najib explained that Low had ties with Chinese government officials which he wanted to use to secure “economic opportunities”.

Akram: The reason you used Jho Low was because you were under stress as at the time IPIC was demanding that 1MDB pay its debt?

Najib: I don’t agree.

Najib is standing trial on 25 charges of abuse of power and money laundering over funds amounting to RM2.28 billion deposited into his AmBank accounts between February 2011 and December 2014.

The hearing continues before Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah on Jan 16.