IT is irresponsible of the government to close investigations into Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low, when the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal remains unresolved, said Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin today. 

“It’s an action that is very irresponsible,” Muhyiddin said in one of three short videos released on Bersatu’s Facebook page this afternoon.

He was responding to Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s about-turn on the status of the probe into Jho Low, the man at the centre of 1MDB’s complex web of international transactions.

Zahid yesterday told Parliament that the police had enlisted Interpol’s assistance to track down Low, but later issued a statement on the same day saying that case files involving Low were closed.

Muhyiddin said Zahid must explain the “confusing” about-turn.

The former deputy prime minister also refuted Zahid’s claim that 1MDB was no longer a relevant issue in another two-minute video.

“It’s a huge issue. It involves issues about the country’s dignity, national resources, scandal and abuse of power,” said Muhyiddin.

“It’s a topic that cannot be covered up.”

In another three-minute video, Muhyiddin also criticised the Parliament speaker for rejecting questions about 1MDB without explanation.

He said the speaker had rejected 10 questions related to 1MDB for this sitting, and another 30 questions in the July sitting.

“The prime minister has not given an explanation that is satisfactory to all parties,” said Muhyiddin, adding that MPs had the right to raise important issues in the Dewan Rakyat.

In Parliament earlier today, Amanah’s Sepang MP, Hanipa Maidin, said Zahid was no position to say that there was no case against Low, as the financier had never been arrested or questioned.

“The deputy prime minister said Jho Low will not be charged. That’s the worst statement. How can you say that? It is up to the court to decide that. Jho Low was not even arrested, questioned, or brought to court. It is funny when such statements come from him (Zahid),” said Hanipa.

The Amanah MP touched on the issue in Parliament today, during a debate on amending the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia Bill 2017.

Hanipa said the amendment had big repercussions as it allowed the corporation, with the approval of the minister or finance minister, to set up a company under the Companies Act 2016 to run its activities, operations or initiatives.   

Hanipa said the setting up of such companies by the corporation would create confusion. 

“Mr Speaker, like it or not, we have had a bad experience with a company in our country.

“As we know, the intention to set up 1MDB was noble, but what has happened now, is that it has made the country the world’s laughing stock. And what happened now, people has started laughing when deputy prime minister answered the questioned posed by the Gombak MP (Mohamed Azmin Ali),” said Hanipa.

The MP then referred to Zahid’s initial remarks in Parliament yesterday, that Interpol’s help was sought to locate Jho Low.

“But in a report published later that day, he denied of making such a statement and that Jho Low will not be implicated. I do not know who has been advising him,” said Hanipa.

He said the government should not just set up a company at will, as the 1MDB case showed the dangers of such a practice.

The amendment on the bill also allowed corporations to raise money by issuing of bonds and other securities. He agreed to a suggestion from Bukit Katil MP Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin that setting up such companies would create more “Jho Lows”.

Zahid had insisted today that the case against Low was closed, and that he had not received any report on Low’s luxury yacht docking near northern Acheh.

The US Department of Justice believes Low is the mastermind behind a scheme to siphon money from state investment fund 1MDB.  

His whereabouts are unknown. – October 24, 2017.