Bid to bring Jho Low back with ‘private efforts’

MALAYSIA is trying to bring back fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, from China using private initiatives, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Speaking at a meeting with the renowned Council on Foreign Relations in New York, the Prime Minister did not elaborate on the measures.

Such measures, which he referred to as “private efforts”, were needed as China did not have an extradition treaty with Malaysia.

“It is quite tricky for us to accuse China of hiding him, so we are trying to work out some ways or private efforts to get back Jho Low from China,” said Dr Mahathir.

During his visit to the Middle Kingdom last month, Dr Mahathir said he believed Low was hiding in China although he neither had proof nor had brought up the matter during his talks with China’s leaders.

Low is wanted on charges of money laundering linked to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal. He has denied any wrongdoing.

The Prime Minister dismissed claims that Low was a Chinese intelligence asset.

“I don’t think so. I don’t think China has any respect for him at all,” he said.

Asked why China had not sent Low back to Malaysia, Dr Mahathir said he did not know.

Pressed further on his best guess as to why China had not expelled Low, Dr Mahathir said: “Well, maybe he’s a bargaining chip or something like that.”