RM2.23 billion put in Najib's account by Jho Low-linked companies, Prince Faisal, banker tells court

A banker told the Kuala Lumpur High Court today that a total of RM2.23 billion was deposited into Najib Razak’s personal account from 2011 up to 2013 by three parties, including two companies linked to fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho or Jho Low.

AmBank Private Banking Capital Market desk head, Yap Wai Keat, 57, said the two companies – Blackstone Asia Real Estate Partners and Tanore Finance Corp – deposited a total of RM2.2 billion into the former prime minister’s account ending 694 in 11 transactions in 2012 and 2013.

He said Najib also received RM60.6 million from Prince Faisal Bin Turki Bandar Al Saud via two transactions in February and June 2011.

The 38th prosecution witness said this when reading his witness statement during examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Mustaffa P Kunyalam at Najib’s corruption and money laundering trial over RM2.3 billion belonging to 1MDB.

Yap, who was involved in the quotations of foreign exchange rates for inward and outward remittances at that point of time, said he was instructed by Najib’s AmBank relationship manager, Joanna Yu Ging Ping, to assist in matters pertaining to the foreign exchange under the market division for that account.

"The information on this incoming money was relayed by the remittance division to me and Najib’s relationship manager, that is Yu, to enable her to inform the client that there was incoming money flowing into Najib’s account. 

"Yu instructed me to execute the conversion of money from US dollars to ringgit after she obtained approval from the client (Najib). Subsequent to that, my department did the necessary by entering the relevant data into a system called Murex where conversion was done in accordance with the agreed rate as per contract. 

"Then, my department contacted the remittance division and informed them of the contract number and the exchange rate.

"With regards to this particular transaction, my department acted upon instructions as directed to me by Yu after she had received instructions from the client," he said.

Najib, 69, faces four charges of using his position to obtain bribes amounting to RM2.3 billion from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.

The trial before judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues tomorrow.