PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has revealed that talks are currently underway to bring fugitive businessmen Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, back to Malaysia to face justice as soon as possible.
However, he did not confirm if Low is currently hiding in China as speculated but instead said that Putrajaya is negotiating with various countries to expedite the repatriation process to ensure Low faces criminal action here for his involvement in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.
“These are done via diplomatic channels. Yes, we want him back as soon as possible, that has been our position. We have been very tough from day one,” Anwar told reporters after attending the launch of the 75th anniversary of the Malaysian Red Crescent on Friday (May 5).
“But of course, it is a complicated process. It involves many countries, intelligence services, Interpol, etcetera.”
Anwar’s comment on the subject is in response to Bradley Hope’s comment on April 20 that the Malaysian government has been negotiating with China to bring Low back.
The former Wall Street Journal writer quoted a source as saying that discussions have taken place following Anwar’s official visit to China in March, and that the republic could offer to repatriate Low.
“Today, we heard from multiple sources that such an arrangement is being hotly debated inside the Malaysian government in the wake of Anwar’s trip to China in March,” Hope wrote on a website called Whale Hunting committed to tracking down the fugitive businessmen at the centre of the multi-billion dollar scandal.
“This would be huge and fascinating, and mark the end of the main storyline of the scandal, from its founding in 2009 to its collapse amid in 2015 and all the insane partying and spending along the way until 2023.”
Hope, who is the co-author of the Billion Dollar Whale chronicling the 1MDB saga, also alleged that the deal, if it happens, would include absolving China of its alleged complicity in the 1MDB cover-up and previous support for disgraced former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, among others.
On March 15, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail informed Parliament that Low and other fugitives wanted in Malaysia over their roles in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal remain elusive as there has been no confirmed sighting by all 195 member countries under the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol)
Saifuddin said Interpol’s Red Notice is “still active and in effect to this day” for Low and five other individuals linked to the 1MDB scandal, namely Terence Geh Choh Heng, Casey Tang Keng Chee, Jasmine Loo, Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil and Eric Tan Kim Loong. – May 5, 2023
Main pic credit: SCMP
