A financial investigator told the High Court that she could not determine whether fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, was the “number one” figure in an alleged conspiracy involving funds from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
Kroll (Cayman) Ltd managing director and Offshore Practice leader Angela Barkhouse said, however, that her investigation focused on individuals who received the funds in question.
Barkhouse made the statement during the fifth day of the US$5.64 billion civil suit filed by 1MDB against former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and six others. The hearing was before Judicial Commissioner Mohamad Redzuan Idrus.
During cross-examination, Najib’s lead counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, asked Barkhouse whether she had ever met Jho Low or encountered his name during her investigations. She replied in the affirmative.
Shafee then asked whether she agreed that Jho Low was a key figure in the controversy and alleged conspiracy surrounding 1MDB.
“Among others, yes,” Barkhouse replied.
However, when Shafee asked whether she regarded Jho Low as the “number one” person in the alleged conspiracy, Barkhouse said she was unsure.
Shafee then questioned who else could have been involved, suggesting that other individuals linked to entities identified during her investigation must also have played a role. Barkhouse reiterated that her focus was on those who received the funds.
Shafee: “This includes my client (Najib), correct?”
Barkhouse: “Yes.”
The civil suit was filed on May 7, 2021, by 1MDB and several of its subsidiaries, including 1MDB Energy Holdings Limited, 1MDB Energy Limited, 1MDB Energy (Langat) Limited and Global Diversified Investment Company Limited.
The defendants named in the suit include Najib, former 1MDB financial director Terrence Geh Choh Heng, former executive director Casey Tang Keng Chee, former chief investment officer Vincent Beng Huat Koh, former chief operating officer Radhi Mohamad, former investment director Kelvin Tan Kay Jim and former chief investment officer Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil.
According to the statement of claim, the plaintiffs allege that the defendants committed breaches of trust and statutory duties, abused their positions and conspired to misappropriate 1MDB funds.
Separately, the High Court on December 26, 2025, sentenced Najib, 73, to 15 years in prison and imposed an RM11.4 billion fine after finding him guilty of four charges of abusing his position and 21 money-laundering charges involving RM2.3 billion linked to 1MDB.
The civil trial is scheduled to continue today.
