FUGITIVE businessman Low Taek Jho, who is accused of siphoning billions of ringgit from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), has reportedly offered RM1.5 billion to Putrajaya to settle charges against him, reports The Edge.

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

It claimed that Low, or better known as Jho Low, was represented by former attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali in the negotiations.

The Malaysian Insight has contacted Apandi for comments.

The 40-year-old 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.