THE government is working on expediting the extradition of fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho or Jho Low through collaborations with international agencies, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (BN-Pengerang).
The de facto Law Minister said the effort also involved the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
“MACC has been cooperating with foreign enforcement agencies to obtain all information related to Low.
“Various efforts and negotiations through diplomatic channels are being implemented to speed up the process of bringing Low to Malaysia,” she said in a written reply to Pang Hok Liong (PH-Labis) yesterday.
Pang was asking the minister whether the government has, or will request the Chinese government to return the fugitive businessman this country, and when he will be brought back, as well as the conditions attached.
Azalina also said that MACC has issued an Interpol Red Notice against Low since 2018 for his involvement in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) case.
“Low has been charged in absentia with one charge under subsection 28(1)(c) and read together with Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009 on Feb 9, 2020, and three charges under Section 4(1) Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001 on June 29, 2019,” she added.
In April, former Wall Street Journal reporter Bradley Hope claimed in a report that the Malaysian government may have been working on a deal with China during the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s official visit in March.
On May 5, Anwar said the government was negotiating with overseas authorities to secure the return of Low, but refused to confirm the fugitive’s whereabouts.
According to Anwar, the process was complicated because it involves another country, intelligence services, and Interpol.
