KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 — Former 1MDB chief executive Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi testified in court today that Datuk Seri Najib Razak was "very close” to fugitive financier Low Taek Jho.

Testifying as the ninth witness in the former prime minister's main 1MDB corruption trial today, Shahrol claimed Najib also gave Low or Jho Low his blessings to direct operations at the state investment firm from behind the scenes.

"Every action Jho Low takes in highlighting any of Najib's orders, it will be approved by Najib himself.

"In fact, I'm sure that Najib has given his mandate to him (Low) to plan and manage the operations of TIA/1MDB operations from behind the scenes through talking points document and action plan,'' he said referring to the predecessor of 1MDB, the Terengganu Investment Authority (TIA).

Shahrol also asserted that Low had worked with Najib from the beginning to protect the latter's "interest”.

"I see him as having direct access to Najib. As an example, during a TIA board of directors meeting, he can directly call Najib and ask for his views and guidance and Jho Low also had access to meet Najib at his house in Jalan Langgak Duta or in Sri Satria in Putrajaya, which is the official residence of the deputy prime minister,'' he said.

Shahrol also stated that Low seemed at home at Najib’s house on Langgak Duta.

"When Jho Low went to Najib’s house, he took me straight through the gates and guards, he is very familiar with the house entrance, very familiar with the layout of the house.

"The staff are also familiar with him. He even asked for ‘Milo ais’ when he met Najib,” he said, referring to the chocolate malt drink.

While reading his witness statement, Shahrol also answered several additional questions posed by senior deputy public prosecutor Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram.

Sri Ram had asked Shahrol to describe Low and Najib’s close relationship.

However, on several occasions, Najib’s defence counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah had objected to Shahrol’s statement, stating that it was all "hearsay” and said that the court of law is not a "coffee shop” as the latter was only depending on Low’s impression on his relationship with the former prime minister.

However, Sri Ram retorted by stating that Shahrol’s statement carries weight as it is based on his personal observation.