Former 1MDB chief executive officer Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi, 49, said Najib’s presence at the signing of the bilateral agreement on March 12,2013, held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya, clearly indicated that the former prime minister had an “interest” and the joint venture was Najib’s “baby”.
Shahrol, while referring to the document titled “1MDB Media Release - RM18 billion Strategic Partnership for Growth”, also said that the agreement was signed by 1MDB chairman Tan Sri Che Lodin Wok Kamarudin and Aabar chairman Khadem Al Qubaisi. The witness also said that the agreement was a major event between 1MDB and Aabar as it was a “G2G deal” and involved strategic cooperation between the two countries.
The prosecution's key witness also said it was Jho Low’s idea and plan after an in-depth discussion with Najib, the “ultimate power” in 1MDB, based on Jho Low’s feedback and planning through his private email.