‘GOVT GOT TIP-OFFS ON LOW’S WHEREABOUTS’

They will facilitate efforts to bring him back, says Dr M

MALAYSIA has received tip-offs on the whereabouts of fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, as well as on his activities, from several quarters, including Malaysians.

At a press conference after delivering his statement at the United Nations headquarters here, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he welcomed such tip-offs to facilitate efforts to bring Low back.

“If you know, tell and take some action. Please tell us exactly where and we need to negotiate with the country concerned. All these things are (being done) off the record, more or less.”

Private negotiations, he said, could be carried out between Malaysian authorities and their counterparts in the country where Low was hiding.

Dr Mahathir was asked to elaborate on his statement on Thursday that Malaysia was trying to bring back Low from China via private channels.

To a question if Low was definitely in China, Dr Mahathir replied: “We are told that he is in China, among other places. He was in Bangkok also, that we were also told.

“But he has the capacity to learn ahead about what action we might take and he disappears.”

This elicited a question if there could be a leak, to which Dr Mahathir replied: “The authorities are trying to arrest Jho Low, but so far they have not succeeded. It is not that they have not tried, but they have not succeeded.”

Low is wanted by the authorities over his role in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal.

Earlier this month, police said they had information on Low’s whereabouts.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim, however, declined to reveal which country Low was hiding in.

He was quoted as saying that although police had information, they could not send a team there because of “sovereignty” issues and that police needed the country’s assistance and approval.

In July, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said Low had fled Macau. Police issued an Interpol red notice on Low in June.

Low’s Malaysian passport has been cancelled by the Immigration Department on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s request.

He is believed to still hold a St Kitts and Nevis passport.