KUALA LUMPUR: The board of directors at 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) dared not disregard suggestions by fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, in light of his close relationship with Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the High Court heard.

       Former 1MDB non-executive director Tan Sri Ismee Ismail (pic), 57, said this in his 112-page witness statement during the RM2.28bil 1MDB trial involving Najib here yesterday.

       The 13th prosecution witness said that from observation, Low had acted as Najib’s adviser in the steering committee of 1MDB’s predecessor Terengganu Investment Authority (TIA) and later in 1MDB.

       “He only has an official position in TIA but not in 1MDB. There were no proposals to appoint Low in 1MDB,” the witness said.

       Ismee said Low had name-dropped Najib many times in his conversations and suggestions and he would address Najib as “boss” or “PM” in meetings.

       “He was working behind the scenes because the BOD (board of directors) and myself would receive emails frequently from him from the email address dealrainman1@gmail.com,” Ismee added.

       The witness said that he was not aware in what capacity Low had sent out those emails nor his level of involvement in 1MDB, but the emails were proposals to the BOD and top management on 1MDB’s investment and development.

       “What the BOD and I know, Jho Low has a very good relationship with Najib. Because of the good relationship between Jho Low and Najib, the BOD would not disregard Jho Low’s emails at all.

       “But from what I see with the BOD, each matter must go through the correct channels and follow proper corporate governance,” he said.

       The witness also recalled a trip to London to visit PetroSaudi International (PSI) Ltd’s office to confirm the company’s legitimacy.

       Ismee said that former 1MDB chairman Tan Sri Che Lodin Wok Kamarudin had requested 1MDB’s management to arrange the trip as 1MDB had not known PSI and wanted to meet with the company’s representatives in person.

       In May 2011, Ismee said he, along with the board members, had gone on the trip to London which was arranged to coincide with Najib’s own trip to London.

       “I am not sure why the trip had to coincide with Najib’s trip but we were taken to PSI’s office and we had lunch together,” he said.

       Ismee also attended the 1MDB-PSI meeting with Najib and PSI’s representatives, Tarek Obaid and Patrick Mahoney, at Najib’s suite in Dorchester Hotel.

       He said Low was at the suite but did not attend the meeting.

       “In this meeting, all of the board members attended and the discussions were ‘general’ on investments between PSI and 1MDB.

       “There weren’t any specific agendas. They also spoke about the G-to-G relationship between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia,” he added.

       Ismee said the board was satisfied to see PSI’s office and had assumed that PSI was a genuine company.

       “In fact, the presence of Najib in this meeting has shown that the joint venture with PSI is the right venture,” he added.

       Najib, 68, is facing four charges of abusing his position to obtain gratification totalling RM2.28bil in 1MDB funds and 21 counts of money laundering involving the same money.

       The hearing continues before Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah today.