Jho Low did not employ me or pay me a single cent: ex-BSI banker Yeo

MALAYSIAN financier Low Taek Jho, more commonly known as Jho Low and who has been named by Singapore's Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) as one of three key persons of interest in a money laundering probe surrounding 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), did not employ former BSI banker Yeo Jiawei, the court heard on Friday.

Yeo, who was giving evidence at his own trial, said he has "never received a single cent from Jho Low before".

Yeo's evidence came after prosecution witness and his former BSI supervisor Kevin Swampillai testified on Nov 1 that he usually addressed Mr Low as "boss". Mr Swampillai had also testified that Yeo was believed to have worked for Mr Low after leaving BSI.

On Friday morning, Yeo, 33, who is on trial for allegations of obstructing justice in the 1MDB corruption and money laundering probe, also dismissed another prosecution witness, ex-Income distribution chief Samuel Goh Sze-Wei's evidence as "not true".

Previously, Mr Goh had told the court that Yeo had instructed him to destroy documents as the CAD investigation into their dealings had heated up. Yeo has disagreed.

The court on Friday heard from Yeo that Mr Goh is an experienced individual in the financial industry with many years of experience. He said that Mr Goh, as director of a fund, has to liaise with banks and be an administrator.

"So it's not true that everything he does must be instructed by me," said Yeo.

During the defence's examination of Yeo, the accused also told the court that Mr Goh, Mr Swampillai and Pinto Jose Renato Carvalho were pushing blame to him and that it was "unfair".

The hearing continues.