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Malaysia in talks to extradite 1MDB accused Jho Low
The businessman, popularly known as Jho Low, was the alleged mastermind in a scheme that funnelled billions of dollars stolen from the Malaysian state investment fund into US luxury real estate, fine art, and Hollywood films in the 2010s.
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Riza Aziz (left) and Malaysian financier Jho Low have been named by the United States Justice Department in a civil-forfeiture suit. (South China Morning Post via The Straits Times/-)
M
alaysia is negotiating with other countries for the return of fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, who is facing criminal charges for his role in the 1MDB scandal, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Friday.
The businessman, popularly known as Jho Low, was the alleged mastermind in a scheme that funnelled billions of dollars stolen from the Malaysian state investment fund into US luxury real estate, fine art, and Hollywood films in the 2010s.
The scandal led to then-prime minister Najib Razak being ousted in 2018 and sentenced to 12 years in jail on corruption charges.
Low's whereabouts are unknown but it has been widely speculated in the media that he could be hiding in China.
"We are discussing with the countries (involved) to expedite the process," Anwar told reporters.
The negotiations are complicated and involve several countries, intelligence services and Interpol, he said.
Asked if China was among those countries, Anwar said: "We have never confirmed his whereabouts."
Anwar vowed to take a strong stand against corruption after coming to power last year.
The US Department of Justice indicted Low and two former Goldman Sachs bankers in 2018 on multiple criminal charges related to 1Malaysia Development Berhad.
A Malaysian court said in 2020 that Low played a key role in transferring 42 million ringgit ($9.46 million) from a former 1MDB unit to Najib's accounts.
Low has always denied any wrongdoing.
Pras Michel, a rapper in the 1990s hit trio The Fugees, was found guilty last month of helping Low funnel money from 1MDB into US politics.
Tens of millions of dollars were used by Najib's stepson, an aspiring film producer, to fund the Hollywood film "The Wolf of Wall Street", starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
DiCaprio testified in court about Low's wild spending sprees and lavish parties, sometimes including Michel.
