AN international liquidator told the High Court today that US$620 million returned by Datuk Seri Najib Razak in 2013 to its sender did not go back into the former Prime Minister's account.
Angela Barkhouse, who is also an offshore asset recovery expert, agreed that the funds were returned to Tanore Finance Corp., which she referred to as the party that sent the money.
In response to a question from lawyer Tan Sri Dr Muhammad Shafee Abdullah on whether the money was returned after the 2013 general election (GE), the Managing Director of Kroll (Cayman) Ltd. could not confirm the period.
Angela stated this when giving evidence at the trial of the suit by 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and four others as plaintiffs against Najib and six parties over the misappropriation of US$5.6 billion in funds.
During the proceedings, Muhammad Shafee also referred to Najib's version that he initially received US$681 million in March 2013, but returned a total of US$620 million because the GE had ended.
According to Muhammad Shafee, Najib returned the money because he was uncomfortable keeping a large amount in his account even though the GE had been completed.
Lawyer: Do you know why Najib returned the US$620 million?
Witness: I don't know.
Lawyer: Have you ever wondered why someone who received US$681 million returned a large portion to the sender?
Witness: That's a fair question.
However, Angela, who is also the Head of Kroll's Offshore Practice, said that the issue of the return was not in line with the instructions of businessman Eric Tan Kim Loong, who is also an associate of Low Taek Jho or Jho Low.
She explained that the return instructions issued by Eric, as mentioned in the witness statement of Richard Templeman (international financial investigator) stated that it was related to SRC International.
However, Muhammad Shafee stated that the matter (regarding Eric) was not only the first time he had heard of it but also described it as absurd.
Lawyer: Do you know or have information that Eric has absconded?
Witness: Yes, that's right.
Lawyer: So his credibility is questionable?
Witness: I can't comment because he's not here to defend himself.
Lawyer: So, regarding Jho Low, are you also unable to comment on his credibility?
Witness: I can't comment on anyone's credibility.
Lawyer: You mentioned Eric Tan's name earlier, right?
Witness: Yes.
The trial before Judicial Commissioner Mohamad Redzuan Idrus continues tomorrow.
In the suit, 1MDB brought eight causes of action against Najib, namely fraud, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of trust, conspiracy, tort of misconduct in public office, unjust enrichment and acceptance of constructive trust.
On 26 December 2025, the High Court found Najib guilty of four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering and sentenced him to 15 years in prison and a fine of RM11.38 billion.
On 7 May 2021, the writ of summons was originally filed by 1MDB and four subsidiaries against 15 defendants, including Najib.
The four subsidiaries are 1MDB Energy Holdings Limited, 1MDB Energy Limited, 1MDB Energy (Langat) Limited and Global Diversified Investment Company Limited, better known as 1MDB Global Investments Limited.
Also named as defendants are former 1MDB Directors Tan Sri Che Lodin Wok Kamaruddin, Tan Sri Ismee Ismail, Tan Sri Ong Gim Huat, Jasmine Loo Ai Swan and Ashvin Jethanand Valiram.
Other defendants are former 1MDB Chief Executive Officers Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi and Mohd Hazem Abdul Rahman, former Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) Azmi Tahir and Radhi Mohamad, and former 1MDB officials Terence Geh Choh Heng, Casey Tang Keng Chee, Vincent Beng Huat Koh, Kelvin Tan Kay Jin and Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil.
However, on 16 August 2021, 1MDB and its four subsidiaries dropped seven of the 15 defendants.
They are Che Lodin, Ismee, Gim Huat, Ashvin Jethanand, Shahrol Azral, Mohd Hazem and Azmi, while Jasmine Loo is also not listed as a defendant – August 11, 2026
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