1MDB civil trial: Shahrol Azral denies Jho Low acted as PM, insists Najib briefed indirectly

Former 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) CEO Datuk Shahrol Azral testified in the High Court that he did not consider fugitive businessman Jho Low as the country's Prime Minister. However, he admitted to communicating with then-Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak through informal channels, such as via Jho Low. This communication emerged during cross-examination by lawyer G.K.

Ganesan, representing former 1MDB investment director Kelvin Tan. The issue arose when Ganesan questioned whether Shahrol Azral believed it was important for the prime minister to know about a dispute between countries over the Serdar oil field project, which involved a RM1 billion joint venture deal. Shahrol Azral maintained that he did not treat Jho Low as the Malaysian Prime Minister.

The 1MDB civil lawsuit, filed on May 7, 2021, named several defendants, including Najib, former 1MDB finance director Terrence Geh, and others. The trial, presided over by Judicial Commissioner Mohamad Redzuan Idrus, is set to continue the following day.