MALAYSIA has intensified pressure against fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, better known globally as Jho Low, after reports emerged that the businessman had sought a presidential pardon from United States President Donald Trump over criminal charges linked to the 1MDB scandal.
The development has reignited international attention on one of the world’s largest financial fraud investigations, with Malaysian authorities insisting that efforts should remain focused on locating and prosecuting the fugitive businessman rather than granting clemency.
1MDB Task Force chairman Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani told Reuters that any application for a pardon should be firmly rejected.
“As far as I’m concerned, I’m against the pardon,” Johari said in a text message when asked about reports concerning Jho Low’s clemency request.
Johari, who also serves as Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, stated that the United States should instead assist Malaysia in tracing Jho Low’s whereabouts to facilitate further investigations linked to the multibillion-dollar scandal.
He added that he had no knowledge of any negotiations between Malaysian authorities and Jho Low regarding the return of assets associated with the case.
The renewed controversy followed a report by The Wall Street Journal claiming that Jho Low had recently filed a formal request for a presidential pardon which, if approved, could eliminate criminal charges against him in the United States.
According to the report, a White House official indicated that the request was not currently under active consideration by the administration.
A United States Department of Justice database reportedly lists a pending application under the name Taek Jho Low categorised as a “Pardon after Completion of Sentence” filing submitted earlier this year.
Jho Low remains a central figure in the sprawling 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) corruption scandal and faces multiple allegations in both Malaysia and the United States, including corruption, fraud and money laundering offences.
Investigators allege that at least US$4.5 billion was siphoned from the sovereign investment fund between 2009 and 2015 through a network involving fund officials and associates linked to Jho Low.
Despite repeated accusations, Jho Low has consistently denied wrongdoing and remains at large, with his exact whereabouts still unknown.
The scandal has had far-reaching political and financial consequences for Malaysia, contributing significantly to the collapse of the Barisan Nasional administration during the 2018 general election after decades in power.
Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who established 1MDB shortly after taking office in 2009, has since been convicted in several corruption-related cases connected to the scandal and is currently serving a prison sentence.
Najib’s legal team has repeatedly portrayed Jho Low as the principal architect behind the misappropriation scheme.
International investigations into the scandal have also implicated major global financial institutions and resulted in criminal proceedings involving former Goldman Sachs bankers.
The Wall Street Journal further reported that Malaysia had previously agreed to temporarily suspend an Interpol red notice against Jho Low in efforts aimed at facilitating the recovery of substantial overseas assets.
In 2019, United States authorities reached an agreement to recover approximately US$1 billion in assets linked to Jho Low, including luxury real estate properties in Beverly Hills, New York and London, as well as a private jet and other high-value holdings.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated in 2023 that Malaysia was negotiating with several countries to accelerate efforts to secure Jho Low’s return, although he declined to identify the nations involved.
Authorities and media reports have long speculated that Jho Low may be residing in China, though Beijing has consistently denied harbouring the fugitive financier. - May 13, 2026
