IPOH, May 16 — Malaysia will not focus on or consider any issue related to pardoning fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said any pardon application involving Jho Low should not even arise, given the seriousness of the alleged crimes linked to the businessman, which resulted in massive losses to the country.
“However, there was confusion yesterday regarding the Jho Low issue. When I said it did not arise, it did not mean there was no issue. What I meant was that I would not consider it at all if he were to apply for a pardon.
“He is involved in fraud and crimes that caused billions in losses to the country. I will not seek a pardon for him,” he said when met after attending an engagement session and the presentation of Letters of Acceptance (SST) to Bumiputera subcontractors at the Perak State Education Complex here today.
Anwar said several media reports yesterday had created confusion over Malaysia’s position on the matter.
“When I say it will not be considered, some media outlets reported otherwise. What I meant was that it is not an issue for us to focus on or consider,” he explained.
Last Tuesday, foreign media reported that Jho Low, who is accused by the US authorities of being the mastermind behind one of the largest financial frauds in history, is believed to have submitted a pardon application to President Donald Trump a few weeks ago.
According to the report, if the application is approved, the criminal charges in the US against Jho Low will be dropped.
The same report also stated that the US Department of Justice website listed an application in the name of Taek Jho Low as “pending” for “Pardon after Completion of Sentence”.
The businessman was charged in 2018 for embezzling about USD4.5 billion (RM17.7 billion) from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) funds, but is still at large and wanted by authorities. — Bernama