A SPOKESMAN for Low Taek Jho has insisted that the fugitive financier was offered asylum in August this year, but fell short of saying which country had offered it or if it was accepted.

The spokesman, who issued a statement through Low’s lawyers, accused the Malaysian government of continuing to make politically motivated statements without paying heed to the facts.

“Malaysian government officials continue to make politically motivated statements, ignoring both the facts at hand and the underlying legal principles,” the spokesman said.

“It remains the case that we understand Mr Low was offered asylum in August 2019 by a country that acts in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and European Convention on Human Rights, ratified by many countries around the world.”

The Singapore Straits Times and other sources had reported that Low, better known as Jho Low, was offered asylum last August and that he was in the UAE and travelling between Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and other parts of the Middle East, where “he holds close relations with members of the royal families” and Europe.

“He’s protected under international law now, similar to Malaysia’s argument that Dr Zakir Naik will not be deported to India as he won’t get a fair trial there,” another source had said.

But yesterday, Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador had rubbished reports that Jho Low was in the UAE, saying it was impossible and “illogical”.

“I will not stop hunting for him,” Hamid had said, adding that Jho Low should surrender to the Malaysian authorities.

“If he feels that he is not a criminal and was simply being victimised, I will make sure he is treated in accordance with the law,” Hamid added.

In August last year, Malaysian police filed charges against Jho Low and his father, Larry, under the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001 over funds purportedly stolen from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

Jho Low was slapped with eight counts of money laundering, involving a total of US$443 million (RM1.8 billion).

He was then charged with another five counts under the same act for receiving US$1.03 billion from the state investor through his company, Good Star Ltd.

Jho Low was also jointly charged with Eric Tan Kim Loong, 40, with two money-laundering offences involving US$1.26 million.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) Asia division deputy director Phil Robertson had also questioned why any country would give Jho Low asylum, especially given the well-documented magnitude of his financial crimes and extensive damage his actions has had on the Malaysian government.

It was reported on Thursday that Jho Low had reached a tentative settlement to his legal woes with the US Department of Justice (DoJ) over the 1MDB scandal.

Under the deal, Jho Low and parties related to him are set to waive rights to assets valued at more than US$1 billion allegedly acquired with 1MDB-linked funds that were part of the civil forfeiture claims filed in the US courts by the DoJ between 2016 and 2017. – November 2, 2019.