Cheah Tek Kuang said he went to Najib's residence in Jalan Langgak Duta in the middle of January that year to discuss the opening of bank accounts which the then prime minister wanted to do.
“Once I arrived at the house, I met Jho Low. I was taken into the residence by Jho Low who then introduced me to Najib.
“Jho Low also told him that I was from Ambank,” Cheah said, adding that he and Najib then proceeded to the guest room while Jho Low waited in a different part of the house.
Cheah said he explained the procedures for opening the bank accounts and mentioned to Najib that everything must follow the rules and regulations of the bank.
“I also explained to him that I am obligated to inform Bank Negara on the opening of the accounts because he is a politically exposed person,” he said during examination in chief conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Suhaimi Ibrahim.
Najib, he said, acknowledged his explanation and proceeded to sign all the forms.
He said the meeting lasted about 20-minutes.
The 72-year old, who joined AmBank in 1978 until he retired in 2012, said he later made an appointment to meet Bank Negara Governor Tan Sri Zeti Aziz Akhtar Aziz, and informed her of the opening of the accounts.
He said Zeti had no objections but reminded him that everything must be done according to the banking rules and regulations.
He said Najib later applied for two credit cards before a Visa Platinum card and a MasterCard Platinum were approved.
Cheah also revealed that the code name AmPrivate Banking-MR was used for Najib's account as Jho Low had requested for it to be dealt with the strictest confidence.
“I am not sure who decided on the code name but I know this was for the protection of information and to maintain security.
“As far as I can recall there were many transactions for the accounts but I did not keep records of them. Soon after, I was no longer informed of anything as I retired from AmBank in 2012,” he said.
Cheah, who was the 50th prosecution witness, also admitted that Najib had told him that he wanted to open the accounts as he would be receiving donations.
“He mentioned that he would be getting US$100 million or US$200 million,” he said.
The defence will continue cross examining Cheah tomorrow.
Najib, 66, is facing seven counts of criminal breach of trust, abuse of power and money laundering involving RM42 million of SRC International Sdn Bhd funds.
The Pekan member of parliament faces 20 years’ jail and fine for the offences.