1MDB ex-CEO rejects claims Jho Low wielded PM-level authority

KUALA LUMPUR — Shahrol Azral Ibrahim, the former chief executive of 1Malaysia Development Berhad, has pushed back against assertions that Low Taek Jho—the fugitive businessman at the centre of the fund's multi-billion-ringgit scandal—functioned as a parallel authority above the government's chief executive. In testimony during the ongoing civil trial, Shahrol maintained that while Low was involved in 1MDB affairs, he did not operate with the powers or responsibilities of a prime minister. The former 1MDB leader instead characterised the fund's interactions with top government figures as occurring through established indirect channels rather than direct instruction from Low. His remarks come as the civil proceedings continue to unpick the governance and decision-making structures that existed within 1MDB during the period when billions of dollars disappeared from the fund. The trial has become a focal point for understanding how strategic decisions were made and who held influence over the sovereign wealth fund's operations. Shahrol's testimony suggests a more complex chain of command and communication than allegations of Low functioning as an unofficial supreme authority would indicate. The case remains significant for Malaysian authorities seeking to establish accountability for one of the world's largest financial scandals.