1MDB trial: Jho Low threatened me over experiences, says Edge Media Group chairman

KUALA LUMPUR: The Edge Media Group chairman Tan Sri Tong Kooi Ong informed the Excessive Court docket right here that fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho had threatened him over the information outlet’s investigative reporting on the 1Malaysia Growth Bhd (1MDB) scandal.

Tong, 63, who was testifying throughout re-examination by lead prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram in Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s RM2.28bil 1MDB corruption trial, stated the risk was made within the second assembly between them in 2014.

The forty third prosecution witness stated that Low, or higher often known as Jho Low, had sought to fulfill him (Tong) by way of a The Edge reporter that 12 months.

“In 2014, after The Edge began writing (the investigative experiences on 1MDB), Jho Low contacted me to see me and noticed me twice. Jho Low’s father, Larry, was an individual I’ve recognized because the Nineteen Nineties,” Tong stated.

The witness stated Low informed him that he (Low) knew Najib.

“Within the first assembly, he informed me that The Edge was flawed (in our reporting) and he had nothing to do with 1MDB.

“Within the second assembly, he stated he is aware of Najib and we ought to be cautious with what we write,” Tong added.

Sri Ram: And what was that message he (Low) supposed to convey?

Tong: Identical as Paul Stadlen (Najib’s former media adviser). It was threatening us to cease.

Sri Ram: It was a risk?

Tong: I took it as a risk.

Sri Ram: How did you reply?

Tong: My normal manner. I simply ignored the threats.

Earlier, throughout cross-examination by Najib’s lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, Tong stated he paid whistleblower Xavier Andre Justo, who was a former Petrosaudi Worldwide govt, US$2mil for exposing the 1MDB scandal.

“I felt that Justo for no whim and fancy and for nothing to achieve, paid an enormous worth to be jailed in Thailand for an motion that saved Malaysia from the world’s largest kleptocracy,” he stated.

Najib, 69, is on trial for 25 fees in complete – 4 for abuse of energy that allegedly introduced him monetary profit to the tune of RM2.28bil; and 21 for cash laundering involving the identical amount of cash.

The listening to continues earlier than Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah on Wednesday (Nov 23).