PUTRAJAYA will not strike a deal with wanted businessman Low Taek Jho, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said the financier, better known as Jho Low, will not be offered immunity or a reduced sentence in exchange for evidence that could lead to prosecutions in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd case.

“No deal,” said Dr Mahathir, who is also Bersatu chairman, when asked about the matter after a Pakatan Harapan presidential council meeting in Petaling Jaya today.

Present were PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, PKR advisory council chairman Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, DAP deputy chairman Gobind Singh Deo and other pact leaders.

Denying statements issued by Low’s lawyers, Dr Mahathir said Putrajaya does not interfere with the courts, and called on the Penang-born businessman to turn himself in to police.

“It must be because he knows he is guilty. So when he is guilty, he says the trial won’t be fair.

“But, Malaysian judges are quite fair. We all have to appear in court. And we can’t keep on dismissing charges or getting another judge for ourselves. We have to accept that the institution of the judiciary is not being interfered with by this government.”

Low faces five charges under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001, for allegedly receiving US$1.03 billion (RM4.2 billion) via an account belonging to Bank Good Star Ltd at RBS Coutts Bank Ag in Zurich, Switzerland, between September 30, 2009 and October 25, 2011.

Low and businessman Eric Tan have been jointly charged on two counts under Section 4(1(a), involving losses amounting to US$126 million, with the funds allegedly received via an account belonging to RBS Bank Ltd Singapore, owned by Acme Time Ltd. The transaction involved the issuance of Islamic medium-term notes by the Terengganu Investment Authority Bhd in May 2009.

Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun said warrants have been obtained from the courts for five individuals who have fled the country and wanted in connection with the 1MDB case.

“Police will seek the assistance of foreign authorities and Interpol to track them down.

“When they are detected, police, via the Attorney-General’s Chambers, will seek their extradition to enable them to face charges in Malaysia’s courts.”

Low and four others have been charged with a total of 13 counts of criminal wrongdoing.

The hunt for the four others began in June, when the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission sought them for questioning in its probe into the embezzlement of 1MDB funds.

After efforts to locate them failed, the Kuala Lumpur magistrates’ court issued fresh warrants against all five. – December 8, 2018.