ATTORNEY-GENERAL Idrus Harun must explain why he allowed officers of his office and unnamed government agencies to meet representatives of fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng said today. 

Lim said Idrus has sent the wrong message by agreeing to a conference with a wanted man.

“Idrus was wrong to allow the Attorney-General’s Chambers to meet with Low’s representatives. Instead of hunting Low down, Idrus should explain why the AGC was willing to meet with the fugitive businessman’s representatives. 

“Is Idrus not sending the wrong message that Malaysia’s top law officer is willing to deal with crooks and wanted fugitives instead of steadfastly upholding the law without fear or favour?” the Bagan MP and former finance minister said in a statement today.

The Edge Markets recently reported that Low, who is accused of stealing billions of ringgit from 1MDB, had offered to pay RM1.5 billion to settle charges against him.

Quoting unnamed sources, the business daily said the government had rejected the offer.

It was alleged that former attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali had represented Low in the negotiations.

Low, said to be the brains behind the 1MDB scandal, has been charged in absentia in US and Malaysian courts.

Lim said Low appears to exert considerable influence over the government, having engaged Apandi to act on his behalf.

Lim asked Apandi to clarify his relationship with Low, saying the truth was pertinent as the ex-AG while in office in 2016 had cleared former prime minister Najib Razak of wrongdoing in connection with the affairs of the sovereign wealth fund.

In a response yesterday, Apandi did not address Low’s purported settlement offer but said the meetings were held to discuss the repatriation of money the financier allegedly siphoned from 1MDB.

The former AG said the meetings were eventually aborted by the AGC.

Lim said DAP is opposed to any kind of deal with Low. He said such an arrangement will not only be unethical but also legally wrong. 

“After all, all of Low’s assets amounting to billions of ringgit are liable to be confiscated upon being charged and convicted,” he said. 

In Malaysia, Low faces five money laundering charges involving US$1 (RM4.4) billion while the US Department of Justice has charged him with conspiracy to launder billions of dollars from 1MDB and to violate the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Low has on a number of occasions denied his involvement in the 1MDB affair, claiming to be an “intermediary” for former prime minister Najib Razak, who is currently standing trial for similar charges in connection with the investor fund.

Najib is facing trial for abusing his position as then prime minister, finance minister and 1MDB advisory board chairman. He is also accused of laundering RM4.3 billion of 1MDB money.

In July 2020, he was convicted in a separate trial over approval for RM4 billion worth of loans from the Retirement Fund Inc to SRC International, a former subsidiary of 1MDB.

He was also found guilty of criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving RM42 million of SRC funds and sentenced to 12 years in jail and fined RM210 million.

Najib is appealing his conviction and sentence. – July 17, 2022.