KUALA LUMPUR – The arrest of former 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) lawyer Jasmine Loo has yet to lead authorities any closer to identifying the whereabouts of fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said there is still a long way to go to capture Low, who is wanted for his involvement in the 1MDB financial scandal.
“I’m not sure. I think, if you ask my opinion, not yet, still far,” Azam said briefly when questioned by reporters on whether Loo’s questioning by the MACC has revealed any leads on Low’s location.
He said this when met by members of the media after attending the Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption Research Conference in Serdang.
Azam added that since Monday, MACC has been questioning Loo, who remains in police custody, over allegations of corruption and money laundering of 1MDB funds.
“So far, the investigating officers need three days to question (Loo). We will ask for police assistance (to extend the time allocated to MACC) if it’s necessary for us to request for more time.”
When queried on whether more assets and funds are expected to be recovered from Loo after police previously seized RM93.2 million worth of her assets, Azam said: “I’m not sure about that, but if there is any more, I assure that we will bring them back.”
Among the assets seized from Loo were nine art pieces worth RM8.5 million, including two paintings by renowned artist Pablo Picasso with a price tag of RM 6 million.
It was reported today that Deputy Inspector-General Datuk Seri Ayob Mydin Khan said the Picasso paintings were purchased under Loo’s name, citing “investment purposes”.
In August last year, investigative journalists Tom Wright and Bradley Hope claimed that Low was allegedly spotted in Shanghai Disneyland, China in 2019.
Two months later, the duo, who are authors of the Billion Dollar Whale book covering the 1MDB scandal along with the supposed involvement of Penang-born Low and former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, also said Low is carrying out huge financial dealings in China.
They added that no one in Malaysia is actively seeking Low’s return, quoting a source as saying that “too many powerful people are connected to Low…everything that he has done and knows could affect Malaysia”.
However, in April this year, Hope quoted a source as saying that discussions have taken place between China and Malaysian authorities to bring back Low, following Anwar’s official visit to China in March.
On May 5, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that it is the unity government’s position to have Low be brought home to face justice as soon as possible, although the process involved is very complicated.
While Anwar did not confirm if Low is currently hiding in China as speculated, he said that Putrajaya is negotiating with various countries to expedite the process.
Two days later, MACC said it is in talks with several countries believed to be hideaways of eight fugitives, including Low and Loo.
Previously on March 15, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told Parliament that while the Interpol Red Notice on Low remains active to date, none of the 195 Interpol state members had confirmed his whereabouts. – September 6, 2023