Govt denies Jho Low was in Malaysia with Chinese delegation

Fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, faces multiple charges, including corruption and money laundering, in the US and Malaysia over the 1MDB scandal. (File pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has denied reports that fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, was in the country at the end of last year with a delegation from China to negotiate a 1MDB repayment package.

Asked about the reports in the Dewan Rakyat, deputy finance minister Liew Chin Tong simply said: “I deny the allegation.”

He was responding to Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muda-Muar), who asked if the reports by Sarawak Report and Wall Street Journal were true as the issue involved Malaysia’s sovereignty.

Low faces multiple charges, including corruption and money laundering, in the US and Malaysia over the key role he allegedly played in the misappropriation of at least US$4.5 billion (RM17.69 billion) from 1MDB.

He has consistently denied wrongdoing and his whereabouts are unknown.

In May, Bukit Aman said it was investigating the allegation that Low was in the country and had yet to confirm whether the claim was true.