1MDB trial uncovers network of conspiracy

Former Malaysian leader Najib Razak leaves court in Kuala Lumpur

The 1MDB trial of former Malaysian leader Najib Razak has shed light on the staggering scope of the scandal, with testimony detailing alleged involvement by a Chinese state-owned entity and some of the world’s richest people. Najib’s first trial may conclude as soon as November when the judge decides whether to call on the defense or move on to delivering a verdict.

The current case involves 25 charges, including accusations Najib received bribes linked to state support for $3 billion of 1MDB debt sales and allegations he accepted gratuity involving a $1 billion joint venture with PetroSaudi International Ltd. His lawyers have argued he was misled by others, including fugitive financier Jho Low. Najib has pleaded not guilty to all 42 charges he faces for his alleged role in 1MDB, while Low has denied any wrongdoing.

In the latest development, it was alleged that Bernard Arnault, chairman of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, was approached by Jho Low to join 1MDB’s board of advisers, witness Shahrol testified. Shahrol then met with the billionaire in Paris to give him a letter of appointment signed by Najib, and Arnault verbally agreed at the time, he said.

Arnault had been listed as an adviser on 1MDB’s website, along with Citic Group Chairman Chang Zhenming and Mubadala Development Company CEO Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak.

“From my observation Jho Low has a direct personal connection with these people,” Shahrol said in court.

“Throughout the years, the method used by the perpetrators has been refined and tightened up,” leaving little room for discussion, Shahrol testified. The fund raised $3 billion in 2013 to fund its half of a $6 billion joint venture with Aabar Investment PJS Ltd. to develop TRX City Sdn., while Aabar didn’t contribute its part of the fund, he said. TRX has previously said it received none of the funds.

Shahrol said Jho Low sought to rush the process through and told him that the joint venture would have a big impact on Malaysia’s 2014 general election, creating the perception that the fund-raising was linked to the polls.

In July 2012, 1MDB planned to sell a more than $2.22 billion stake in a unit operating in Venezuela after the U.S. sanctioned the South American country, Shahrol said. The stake was sold to Bridge Partners International Investment Ltd. which paid 1MDB using $2.32 billion of promissory notes. 1MDB received none of the funds as the promissory notes were used to buy units in Bridge Global Absolute Return Fund as managed by Brazen Sky Ltd., he said.

“Jho Low has no authority but he was given a mandate by Najib to arrange the plan from behind 1MDB,” Shahrol said. “I’m confident and believe that without the involvement and consent from Najib definitely none of this would have happened.”

Prosecutors presented Shahrol with all the documents linked to his testimony and asked if the instructions contained in them could have proceeded without Najib’s signature. Each time, he answered no.

Shahrol said 1MDB transferred funds to Aabar soon after two bond sales arranged by Goldman Sachs. 1MDB received $907.5 million on May 22, 2012, part of proceeds from its $1.75 billion debt offer meant to fund the purchase of Tanjong Energy Holdings Sdn., only to transfer $576.9 million to Aabar as “security deposit” that same day, he testified.

That year, 1MDB received $1.64 billion on Oct. 19 from proceeds of another $1.75 billion of notes sold to finance the acquisition of a power producer from Genting Power Holdings Ltd. The state fund transferred $692.2 million to Genting for the purchase, and $790.4 million to Aabar again as “security deposit,” Shahrol said.

He said the payments to Aabar was made in “good faith” based on documentations presented to him by former Goldman Sachs banker Tim Leissner, 1MDB’s ex-general counsel Jasmine Loo and former 1MDB director Terence Geh. It was only after an investigation into 1MDB that he found out that the payments were arranged by Jho Low to bring the funds into an account managed by him, Shahrol said. Hadi Azmi, Bloomberg