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Thursday, June 7, 2018

Jho Low to help in MACC probe on 1MDB

Businessman Low Taek Jho has reportedly instructed his lawyers to make contact with MACC

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho today said he would help in an investigation linked to scandal-hit state fund 1MDB after the anti-graft agency summoned him for questioning.

Low, better known as Jho Low, instructed his lawyers to make contact with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) after he was made aware that they were seeking him for assistance, his representative said in an emailed statement.

He has been described as the “best witness” to provide information on alleged crimes at 1MDB.

Low, who previously said he did consulting work for 1MDB, is portrayed by some global investigators as a central figure behind some of the schemes involving missing funds at the state investment company. He has denied wrongdoing.

US prosecutors had painted Low as a bon vivant and a central figure who set up shell companies and arranged the transfers of tens of millions of dollars to pay Malaysian government officials, while Singapore investigators have called him a “key person of interest”.

Malaysian investigators are focusing on a former 1MDB unit known as SRC International as they renew their investigations. The summon for Low comes after MACC recorded statements from former prime minister Najib Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor in relation to SRC International.

It’s also looking for Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil, the former managing director of the unit.

Media reports have placed Low in various places around the world including Thailand, Hong Kong and Australia, while it is unclear where Nik Faisal is.

Daim Zainuddin, who was appointed by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to help oversee Malaysia’s renewed 1MDB probe, said he “roughly” knows where Low is and has called for him to return. MACC is calling members of the public with knowledge of their whereabouts to contact it.

Malaysia has enough evidence on Low’s crimes, Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said in a speech to employees at the ministry today.

“While I’m not saying we should preempt the rule of law, in cases where it is clear and apparent, and where those involved have been named, we should take stern and quick action,” he said. - Bloomberg

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