‘It is like clapping with one hand’

IGP: Foreign country where Jho Low is in not being cooperative

KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador says the authorities are encountering difficulty in bringing fugitive financier Low Taek Jho back to the country, but he has vowed not to give up on the quest. The Inspector-General of Police had said earlier this year that Low, better known as Jho Low, would be brought back by the end of this year to face justice for his role in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal.

Expressing his frustration with the foreign country that Jho Low was currently hiding in, Abdul Hamid said the bid was akin to “clapping with one hand”.

He chided the country for its “lack of sincerity” in making it tough for the Malaysian police to get Jho Low, adding that he had reached out to his counterpart in that country but to no avail.

“We wrote to them a few times and even met them, but they have not been sincere with us.

“We told them that we have information that Jho Low is in their country but they refused to even acknowledge the fact,” he told a press conference after the handing-over ceremony for the Bukit Aman Logistics and Technology Department director’s post yesterday.

Abdul Hamid lamented the lack of cooperation over the bid to get Jho Low despite having documents and records of his travels.

“I don’t discount the possibility that when their turn comes (in seeking help from us), they will be accorded the same treatment.

“We get better cooperation from other foreign agencies,” he said.

The police chief remained coy when asked which country he was referring to, though Jho Low had been widely speculated to be taking shelter in China or Macau.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian police have obtained intelligence that Jho Low tried to purchase several assets, including in Cyprus.

Abdul Hamid: “I vow to never give up on my efforts to bring him to book.

“We will also double our efforts to seize assets and items purchased using stolen funds.”

Jho Low’s case, he said, was a matter of crime and not political in nature.

“Given the advanced technology that law enforcement agencies have, it is almost impossible for any criminal to hide,” he said.

Despite his frustration, Abdul Hamid maintained that he would not rest until he secured the fugitive’s return.

“I can’t continue to be disappointed. I have promised to work hard in bringing this criminal back before the end of the year, and I am not relaxing.

“I am using various departments within the police force to work towards bringing him back. I hope the people can be patient,” he said.