KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution will call former Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz to testify in Datuk Seri Najib Razak's 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) corruption trial.
This was in response to Najib's lead counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, today pressing a prosecution witness about his knowledge of Zeti's connection with fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low.
The senior lawyer even suggested to former Ambank Bhd managing director Cheah Tek Kuang that Low was a frequent visitor to Zeti's house, but the witness said he did not know.
This prompted lead prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram to interject and tell the court that he would call Zeti to testify.
Shafee started his cross-examination by questioning the 39th prosecution witness about the infamous four letters from a Saudi royal to Najib.
The 75-year-old banker agreed to Shafee's suggestion that he handed over two of the letters to Zeti as he wanted to inform the latter about monies coming into Najib's bank account.
Shafee: Have you ever visited the governor's (Zeti) house?
Cheah: Once for Hari Raya celebration.
Shafee: Did you see Jho Low any time at the house?
Cheah: No. I am very sure.
Shafee: I got reliable information that Jho Low is a frequent visitor to Zeti house.
Cheah: I am not aware.
Sri Ram then interjected and told the court: "We are calling Zeti so these questions can be addressed to her. She got the answer."
Cheah in his testimony said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) knew about the US$100 million which was expected to come into Najib's account in 2011.
He also described in detail his secret meeting with Zeti to discuss Najib's account as the latter was considered a politically exposed person (PEP).
Najib, 69, is facing four charges of using his position to obtain bribes totalling RM2.3 billion from 1MDB funds and 21 charges of money laundering involving the same amount.
The trial before judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah continues.