Did Azmi Tahir deny working with Jho Low’s team?

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Azmi Tahir Denied Colluding with Jho Low's Team in 1MDB Fund Siphoning Scheme

Azmi Tahir, the former chief financial officer (CFO) of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), has explicitly denied any collaboration with fugitive Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, or his associates in a scheme to misappropriate funds from the company. He made these statements while testifying as the 12th prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who faces charges related to the alleged misappropriation of over RM2 billion in 1MDB funds.
Denial of Handpicked Appointment

During his testimony, Azmi Tahir rejected the assertion made by Najib Razak's lawyer, Datuk Hariharan Tara Singh, that he was specifically selected to join 1MDB as CFO because he was willing to cooperate with a management team allegedly controlled by Jho Low. Hariharan suggested that Azmi was not randomly interviewed but "handpicked" to align with Low's team's objectives. Azmi firmly disagreed with this characterisation of his appointment.
Rejection of Salary-Driven Collusion

Azmi Tahir also refuted the suggestion that his alleged cooperation with Jho Low's team was motivated by financial rewards, such as a monthly salary ranging from RM40,000 to RM60,000 and bonuses equivalent to three to six months' pay. When pressed by Hariharan on whether these financial incentives led him to "play ball" with Low's team, Azmi responded with a clear denial. He confirmed that his starting salary in June 2012 was approximately RM40,000 to RM45,000, which later increased to around RM60,000, and that 1MDB bonuses were substantial, often reaching RM200,000 or more.
Disagreement on Misleading the Board

Furthermore, Azmi Tahir disagreed with the proposition that he was directly appointed as CFO, bypassing a deputy CFO role, to deliberately mislead the 1MDB board regarding the company's finances. He also disputed the claim that his interviews were merely a formality or a "resemblance of transparency," and denied being instructed during these interviews to follow directives from Jho Low, Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi, Jasmine Loo, or Terence Geh. Azmi stated that he did not submit his CV to Shahrol or Low, as he was not acquainted with them at the time he applied for the position.

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Did Azmi Tahir deny working with Jho Low’s team?

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