PUTRAJAYA: Former 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) lawyer Jasmine Loo Ai Swan (pic) has been arrested and is ready to cooperate with the police and government on the case, says the Home Ministry.
Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said Loo was arrested on July 7 and was brought to the Dang Wangi district police headquarters. She was remanded the next day.
“The remand order is to allow the police to carry out investigations under Section 409 of the Penal Code for criminal breach of trust,” he told reporters yesterday.
However, he did not disclose where the lawyer was arrested. Neither did he say how long Loo is being remanded for.
“I cannot say much as the matter is being investigated. Suffice to say that an arrest and remand have been made.
“Loo, through her legal counsel, has indicated that she is prepared to cooperate with the police and the government,” he added.
Police have yet to comment on the arrest as of press time.
Loo is said to be a close associate of Jho Low, who was involved in the 1MDB financial scandal.
In January this year, the High Court ordered two luxury cars and RM22,600 in cash belonging to Loo to be forfeited to the government.
The forfeiture application was filed in November 2021 under Section 56 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activity Act 2001.
Section 56 of the Act stipulates the forfeiture of properties where there is no prosecution.
According to earlier reports, Loo, on Dec 15, 2018, was charged with two counts of money laundering over US$6mil (RM27mil) received in a Swiss account she controlled on Dec 6, 2012, and July 1, 2014.
This is believed to be a portion of funds diverted from the first two 1MDB bond offerings underwritten by Goldman Sachs.
Loo who was Low’s legal adviser, was believed to have gone overseas just before there was a change in the Federal Government in the 14th General Election in May 2018.
Loo was sought by the authorities after a full-scale probe into the scandal was initiated. Several months later, a warrant of arrest was issued against her, and she was listed as a wanted person in Interpol’s Red Notice.
On Dec 4, 2018, the Magistrate’s Court issued arrest warrants against Low, Loo, former 1MDB executive director Casey Tang Keng Chee, former 1MDB official Geh Choh Heng and Eric Tan Kim Loong – a close associate of Low – after they failed to appear in court to face seven charges of money laundering related to 1MDB.
Loo was also charged in absentia for money laundering involving almost RM28mil related to the Terengganu Investment Authority and a company owned by Low.
In January this year, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ordered that two luxury cars and RM22,600 in cash belonging to Loo be forfeited to the government. The application for the forfeiture of the vehicles and money was made in accordance with Section 56 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorist Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities (AMLATFPUAA) Act 2001.
The court also allowed an application by a bank to claim a condominium in Mont Kiara here that was seized from Loo.
Loo, who read law in Britain, was said to have regularly attended Low’s parties and gatherings.
