Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi said Low had played a big role in former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s relations with the Arabs and even China.
He said Low was the one who opened doors in Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi and, to an extent, China.
However, he said Low always stated that he wanted to stay in the background and low key when it came to 1MDB related matters to protect Najib.
“He said many in Umno were dengki (jealous) of his influence over, and access to Najib,” Shahrol said when cross-examined by Najib’s lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.
Shafee had earlier questioned Shahrol, who was the CEO of 1MDB from 2009 to 2013, extensively on Low’s character and his influence on matters related to 1MDB.
Shahrol said Low, who used to called himself fat boy as the court heard previously, was well-spoken and understood things quickly.
“He is very intelligent, but he is always late... always."
Asked how he had come to know Low, Shahrol said the latter contacted him through an sms (short messaging system) sometime in 2007 when he was still working with another company.
“Low asked if I was interested in a role in a fund... I cannot remember if he said a fund or his fund.”
Shafee: At that time you had no inkling he would turn out to be an unsavoury fellow?
Shahrol: No
Shafee: There was no semblance that he was a trickster?
Shahrol: No
Shahrol was also asked what Low thought of him and the 49-year-old said: “He pegged me as someone who is not a kay-po-chi (hokkien for busybody).
Shafee: So he liked your character of taking instructions without asking too many questions?
Shahrol: It is more like I only take whatever information which is necessary to fulfill my task.
Shafee: When did you start becoming suspicious of Jho Low?
Shahrol: When the investigations started sometime in 2015
The 49-year-old also detailed how Low had called him to Istana Terengganu in 2008 where presentations were held for the establishment of the Terenggganu Investment Authority (TIA), which became a precursor to 1MDB.
To a question, he agreed that TIA was never a Najib’s baby as it was formed at the behest of the then Yang DiPertuan Agong Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin on Low’s advice.
He said the Penang-born businessman had taken the King to Abu Dhabi to see how a sovereign wealth fund called Mubadala worked.
Shafee: Najib was not even on the horizon when it came to Mubadala
Shahrol: It is not within my knowledge... I don’t know what Low discussed with Najib.
Asked if the King was impressed with Low, Shahrol replied in the affirmative after stating that this was, however, based on his short observation of the duo at the palace.
Shafee then questions Shahrol’s trust in Low from the time he got involved in 1MDB.
Shafee: How long did you have complete trust in Low?
Shahrol: From 2009 until 2015
Shafee: So if you have complete implicit and explicit trust, do you blame my client for trusting Low too... you yourself got conned by this fellow.
Shahrol: I don’t blame him
Najib, 66, is on trial for 25 counts of money laundering and abuse of power involving RM2.28 billion of 1MDB funds.
The trial before High court Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues.