PRIME Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad did not ask China about Malaysian businessman Low Taek Jho, who is rumoured to be “hiding” there.

He, however, felt that Low, or better known as Jho Low, was “probably in China”.

Dr Mahathir even joked that he would slap the handcuffs on Low, if the wanted businessman was next to him.

“I didn’t ask (China) anything about Jho Low, but I think he is probably in China. That’s the rumour I hear.

“This man is very slippery. I am told he has many passports. Like all crooks, he has passports (that enable) him to travel anywhere,” he told Malaysian reporters at a press conference in China today, which was aired live on Berita RTM’s Facebook page.

Low is wanted by Malaysian authorities and other countries for his alleged connection to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal.

He is accused of being the mastermind behind the siphoning off billions of ringgit out of the sovereign wealth fund.

Low’s Malaysian passport was cancelled by the Immigration Department in June, but the Penang-born businessman remains elusive.

The Wall Street Journal recently reported that China was harbouring Low and living in hotel suites and luxury apartments in a number of Chinese cities.

But he has since refuted the report, claiming the story was planted by Dr Mahathir.

Asked if he believed the rumour that China was protecting Low, Dr Mahathir said he did not know.

“People say all kinds of things. They must show proof.”

Low has also been attacking Dr Mahathir and his administration since Malaysia seized the superyacht Equanimity, which is one of the assets, including paintings, jewelleries and movie rights amounting to US$1.7 billion (RM6.9 billion), allegedly bought with misappropriated 1MDB funds that the US Department of Justice is seeking to recover in civil forfeiture suits.

The yacht, said to be worth RM1 billion, belongs to Low and was seized by Indonesia in February. The vessel was handed over to Malaysia at Dr Mahathir’s request to President Joko Widodo.

Dr Mahathir today specifically mentioned Equanimity, which the government plans to sell off.

“He has passports to travel anywhere but he (Low) cannot use his Equanimity now.

“If he wants to and claims that it is his, please come to Malaysia and make his claim at the Malaysian courts.” – August 21, 2018.