KUALA LUMPUR – It is the unity government’s position to have fugitive Low Taek Jho be brought home to face justice as soon as possible, although the process involved is very complicated.
This was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s comment when asked if the administration is working with other countries to repatriate Low to ensure he faces criminal action here for his involvement in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.
Anwar, however, did not confirm if Low is currently hiding in China as speculated, instead saying that Putrajaya is negotiating with various countries to expedite the process.
“These are done via diplomatic channels,” he told reporters after attending the launch of the 75th anniversary of the Malaysian Red Crescent here today.
“Yes, we want him back as soon as possible, that has been our position. We have been very tough from day one.
“But of course it is a complicated process. It involves many countries, intelligence services, Interpol, etcetera.”
When pressed if he has any confirmation that Low is in China, Anwar said he could not comment on that, but insisted many countries are cooperating with Malaysia and providing their support to extradite the fugitive.
Anwar’s comment comes on the back of a claim two weeks ago by Bradley Hope, the co-author of the Billion Dollar Whale chronicling the 1MDB saga, that the Malaysian government has been negotiating with China to bring back Low, better known as Jho Low.
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 in a website dedicated to tracking Low down.
“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 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.
Previously on March 15, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told Parliament that the Interpol Red Notice on Low remains active to date.
However, he said none of the 195 Interpol state members had confirmed Low’s whereabouts. – The Vibes, May 5, 2023
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