Jho Low still involved in affairs of his Hong Kong-based firms

HONG KONG: Fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho has been actively involved in the affairs of his two Hong Kong-registered companies, even with Malaysian authorities in hot pursuit of him across several countries, the South China Morning Post has learned.

His business associate, Seet Li Lin, said to be Singaporean, is living here and is connected to a Shanghai consulting firm owned by one of Low’s companies.

Jho Low, as he is widely known, is a key figure in an international money laundering investigation related to the alleged misappropriation of US$4.5 billion (RM18 billion) from 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

Low is listed as the chief executive officer of private equity firm Jynwel Capital and director of non-profit group Jynwel Charitable Foundation, both based here. Documents from the city’s Companies Registry show that on July 9, Low signed two documents to change both firms’ company secretary from B & Mck Nominees to KV Pro Services in Mong Kok.

It is not known if he was here when he signed the documents. The registry said a signatory would not need to be in the city to sign the papers.

B & Mck is a subsidiary of United States law firm Baker McKenzie. A spokesman from the law firm confirmed it had ceased to work for Low’s companies but declined to give the reason.

On June 26, Jho Low’s older brother, Low Taek Szen, who is also managing director of Jynwel Capital as described in its promotional video, signed documents applying to the Hong Kong Companies Registry to have its name changed to Quinton Investments and for the non-profit to be called Quantima Charitable Foundation.

A source familiar with the operations of the Shanghai-based business consulting firm owned by Jynwel Capital said it had three staffers from Malaysia and Hong Kong and registered capital of US$3.3 million.