Was Jho Low the central figure in the 1MDB conspiracy?

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Kroll Witness Unsure if Jho Low Was the Primary Figure in 1MDB Conspiracy, Confirms Najib Received Funds

An offshore asset recovery specialist, Angela Barkhouse, testified in the High Court that she could not definitively confirm if fugitive businessman Jho Low was the "number one" figure in the alleged conspiracy surrounding 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) funds. However, Barkhouse did confirm that individuals who received funds from 1MDB would be of interest to her investigation, and when specifically asked if this included former Prime Minister Najib Razak, she responded affirmatively.
Jho Low's Role in the Controversy

During cross-examination in the civil suit filed by 1MDB and its subsidiaries, Barkhouse acknowledged encountering Jho Low's name in her investigations. When questioned by Najib's lead counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, about whether she agreed that Jho Low was at the center of the controversy and the alleged conspiracy to dismantle 1MDB, Barkhouse stated, "Amongst others, yes." This indicates that while Jho Low was identified as a significant individual, her certainty about him being the singular paramount figure was not absolute.
Focus on Fund Recipients

When pressed on whether Jho Low should be ranked as the "number one" figure in the alleged conspiracy, Barkhouse expressed uncertainty. She elaborated that her investigation's focus would naturally extend to those who received funds. This statement directly led to the confirmation that her interest included Najib Razak, who was a defendant in the civil suit and a former Prime Minister of Malaysia.
1MDB Civil Suit Defendants

The 1MDB civil suit, filed on May 7, 2021, names Najib and six other individuals as defendants. These include former 1MDB finance director Terrence Geh Choh Heng, former executive director Casey Tang Keng Chee, former chief investment officer Vincent Beng Huat Koh, former chief operating officer Radhi Mohamad, former investment director Kelvin Tan Kay Jim, and former chief investment officer Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil. The plaintiffs accuse these defendants of various wrongdoings, including breach of trust, breach of statutory duty, abuse of power, and conspiracy to misappropriate 1MDB funds.
Broader Context of 1MDB Proceedings

This civil suit is being heard separately from the criminal proceedings previously brought against Najib Razak. In a separate case concluded on December 26, 2025, Najib was sentenced to 15 years in prison and fined RM11.4 billion for abuse of power and money laundering related to RM2.3 billion of 1MDB funds. The ongoing civil trial continues to examine the intricate financial dealings and alleged malfeasance associated with the state investment fund.

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Was Jho Low the central figure in the 1MDB conspiracy?

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