Jho Low slams Putrajaya, says won’t return to face trial
A warrant of arrest was issued against fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low, today. (Bloomberg pic)
KUALA LUMPUR: Fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, in running down the government, said he will not get a fair trial in Malaysia and, therefore, will not return.
In a statement issued today through his attorneys, Low criticised the administration of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, claiming it had no regard for the rule of law.
The statement from Low, better known as Jho Low, was released this evening by Sydney-based PR firm Wells Haslem Mayhew Strategic Public Affairs.
It comes in the wake of a warrant of arrest issued against Low by the magistrates’ court today in connection with the 1MDB scandal.
The statement reads: “These charges are intended to create another false sense of security for the political loss that the Mahathir regime has brought upon itself due to its failures on current issues; disregard for the rule of law; and intentional misinterpretation of the constitution.
“They are no more than a continuation of the trial by media and political reprisals by the Mahathir regime.
“Mr Low maintains his innocence. As has been previously stated, Mr Low will not submit to any jurisdiction where guilt has been predetermined by politics and there is no independent legal process. It is clear that Mr Low cannot get a fair trial in Malaysia, where the regime has proven numerous times that they have no interest in the rule of law.”
Earlier today, the magistrates’ court issued warrants of arrest against Low, his aide Tan Kim Loong, former 1MDB general counsel Loo Ai Swan, former 1MDB executive director Tang Keng Chee and ex-1MDB official Geh Choh Heng.
In August, Low and his father Larry Low Hock Peng were charged for offences under the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001 over money allegedly stolen from 1MDB.
Low was slapped with eight counts of money laundering.
Low is also facing charges by the US Department of Justice over funds misappropriated from 1MDB and paying bribes to various Malaysian and Abu Dhabi officials.
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