DR MAHATHIR Mohamad said wanted Malaysian businessman Low Taek Jho can return to Malaysia and make accusations over the sale of the Equanimity.

Low, better known as Jho Low, has consistently said Putrajaya had acted illegally in taking possession of the super yacht from Indonesia, where the vessel was seized last year on behalf of the US Department of Justice. 

Today, he poured scorn on Putrajaya’s sale of Equanimity for US$126 million (RM529 million), calling it a “failed PR stunt”.

The yacht was reportedly worth RM1 billion.

 Low, who allegedly bought the yacht with stolen 1Malaysia Development Bhd funds, said the “bargain-basement sale price” showed the “Mahathir government’s incompetence and disregard for the rule of law”.

When asked to comment on Low’s remarks, the prime minister told him to return home.

“He can come here and make the allegation, and I will go to court to defend my decision,” Dr Mahathir told a press conference after a Bersatu supreme council meeting tonight.

Low has remained at large after being charged in absentia in Malaysia and the US over 1MDB corruption. 

Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir, who is also Bersatu chairman, said the setting up of Sabah Bersatu was not to “topple” the Warisan-led state government.

 “The reason we are going to Sabah is to open a branch, not to topple the Warisan government.

“We want to give the Warisan administration our full support. We are not going to fight for positions there. 

“There are some quarters that disagree and claim we are trying to influence and make use of Warisan. But Bersatu is dedicated in supporting Warisan.”

On whether Bersatu has decided on the Sabah party leadership, he said the appointments will be announced during the launch this Saturday.

Earlier, Dr Mahathir had announced that Bersatu will hold an extraordinary general meeting in May to amend the party constitution. 

He said Bersatu this year will hold internal polls to elect its leadership. – April 3, 2019