‘JHO LOW COULD BE IN CHINA’
Fugitive businessman has many passports, says PM
PRIME Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad believes that fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, could be in China.
However, he said the topic of Low did not come up for discussion during his visit to China, even though there were rumours that the businessman was in the country.
“I think he’s probably in China. That’s the rumour I heard.
“This man is slick. I was told that he has many passports, which enables him to travel anywhere.”
Asked on what he would do if Low were in front of him, Dr Mahathir quipped: “I would handcuff him.”
Dr Mahathir regarded reports that China was harbouring Low as “empty talk”.
“People say many things. You must have proof,” he said.
Low has been identified by investigators in Malaysia and the United States as a key figure in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) case.
Authorities in Malaysia and the US are investigating how billions of dollars went missing from 1MDB. The US Department of Justice said more than US$4.5 billion (RM18.4 billion) was mis- appropriated from the fund, with some of the money used to buy a private jet, a superyacht, Picasso paintings, jewellery and real estate.
The government has issued an arrest warrant for Low, whose whereabouts are unknown. The financier, whose Malaysian passport has been revoked, has denied any wrongdoing.
Early this month, the govern- ment seized the superyacht Equanimity, which is linked to Low.
Attorney-General Tommy Thomas had said the government hoped to auction off the Equanimity by year-end.
The government is also investigating whether a Bombardier Global 5000 private jet impounded in Singapore and linked to Low was bought using 1MDB money.