Salim Mehajer appears to have pulled off a great financial escape.

Suspended Auburn councillor Mehajer has been celebrating this week and appears set to spend less time in court after securing $65 million in loans from Hong Kong to build a major apartment project.

As Fairfax Media revealed on Wednesday, the developer had installed experienced Malaysian businessman Kenneth WH Lee as the head of his companies, an unusual move for a man who has relied only on trusted family and friends.



That swap may have gotten Cr Mehajer's deal over the line after a dwindling pool of Australian lenders were willing to do business with the developer-politician with a growing reputation for non-payment.