THE Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) today confirmed that fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, through his representatives, has made attempts to engage with the government of Malaysia for a settlement this year.

Attorney-General Idrus Harun, however, said all offers for a settlement from representatives of Low, or better known as Jho Low, were rejected by the AGC.

He did not give any reasons for the decision made.

“The AGC confirms that Jho Low, through his representatives, has made attempts to engage with the government of Malaysia for a settlement this year,” Idrus said in a statement today.

“In these attempts, Jho Low’s representatives met with agencies of the government, including the AGC.

“All offers for a settlement from Jho Low’s representatives were rejected by the AGC.”

The statement from Idrus comes after former attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali clarified that he had only acted on behalf of Kobre & Kim – a Washington-based firm – to arrange meetings with government officials in May.

“I was approached by Kobre & Kim from Washington, DC, seeking my assistance to arrange a meeting with the AG of Malaysia, at the end of May 2022,” Apandi said in a statement to The Malaysian Insight.

“I arranged a series of meetings, whereby representatives from Kobre & Kim came to Malaysia.

“At the meetings, which took place at the AGC, the government of Malaysia was represented by the AG and his officer, and a senior officer from the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission).”

Earlier, The Edge reported that Jho Low offered RM1.5 billion to Putrajaya to settle charges against him.

The business daily, quoting unnamed sources, reported that, however, the government has rejected the offer.

It claimed that Jho Low was represented by Apandi in the negotiations.

Jho Low is said to be the brains behind the 1MDB scandal and has been charged in absentia in US and Malaysian courts.

Former inspector-general of police Abdul Hamid Bador had previously said the Penang-born fugitive was being protected by “a country” and efforts to bring him home had not been futile.

Jho Low is facing five money laundering charges involving US$1.03 billion in Malaysia while the US Department of Justice has charged him with conspiracy to launder billions of dollars from 1MDB and conspiracy to violate the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Jho Low himself has on a number of occasions denied his involvement in the scandal, claiming to be an “intermediary” for former prime minister Najib Razak, who is currently standing trial over the matter. – July 16, 2022.