Jho Low's lawyers threaten UK booksellers against selling 1MDB book

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 15 Sep 2018 10:31AM · 7 Comments

Billion Dollar Whale is authored by Pulitzer Prize-finalists and Wall Street Journal reporters Bradley Hope and Tom Wright and details Jho Low's involvement in the 1MDB scandal. – Tintabudi Bookshop pic, September 15, 2018.

LAWYERS representing wanted businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, have blocked UK bookstores from selling a new book detailing his involvement in the biggest financial scandal in history by threatening booksellers with legal action, The Guardian reported.

The book in question, Billion Dollar Whale, was authored by Pulitzer Prize-finalists and Wall Street Journal reporters Bradley Hope and Tom Wright. It is set for release by US publisher Hatchette Books on Tuesday.

Instead of taking legal action against the book’s authors or US publisher, London-based law firm Schillings have targeted booksellers instead.

Its lawyers said that it was libellous for bookstores to publish a description of the book on their websites, according to legal letters with the firm’s letterhead sighted by The Guardian.

They claimed the book’s content was untrue.

As a result, listings for the book have been removed from the UK websites of Amazon, Waterstones, Foyles, WH Smiths and independent bookstores.

“Schillings demanded individual booksellers provide a commitment in writing never to sell the book, detail proposals for compensating Low for the publication of the synopsis, and provide ‘reimbursement of his legal costs’.”

“The libel law firm also told booksellers that if they did not receive a response, then they would have no choice but to commence legal proceedings against the individual bookshop,” The Guardian media editor Jim Waterson wrote.

Low’s attempt to intimidate UK booksellers have made it almost impossible to buy a copy of the book in the UK.

The Guardian says Jho Low's lawyers demanded booksellers provide a commitment in writing never to sell the book, detail proposals for compensating Low for the publication of the synopsis and provide reimbursement of legal costs. – AFP pic, September 15, 2018.

“The move also highlights how London’s legal world remains the centre for reputation management services for the world’s super rich,” Waterson highlighted.

A spokesman from Hachette Books told The Guardian the publisher was troubled by news that booksellers were being threatened to keep the public from reading a book.

“Hope and Wright are journalists of the highest calibre and we stand by the book. It will be available in bookstores in many countries on Tuesday,” said the spokesman.

The authors said the move was an affront to free speech.

A UK free speech group has denounced Schillings’ attempt to circumvent the appropriate legal process.

A similar tactic employed by Low’s lawyer in Australia failed.

An Australian independent bookstore owner, Jon Page of Boomerang Books, said he had received two emails and a letter from an Australian law firm.

“My feeling is the lawyer is blowing smoke to get booksellers to withdraw the book even though they don’t have to. We won’t be withdrawing the book from sale,” Page said. – September 15, 2018.

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Comments

  • Jho low don't have any dignity and I urge the public to buy this book.

    Posted 5 years ago by Will Be Humble · Reply

  • I will purchase one once available

    Posted 5 years ago by Adrian Tan · Reply

  • Booksellers should have the gumption to stand up against this runaway Fat Boy crook.

    Posted 5 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply

  • Can the super rich really buy their way out of a crime? Jho Low and his buddy in Malaysia seem to think they can. Whether it was the Wolf of Wall Street or the man who fooled Wall Street, the facts are with the Billion dollar Whale!

    Posted 5 years ago by Roger 5201 · Reply

  • why is this whale still walking free? he snd his entire family should be hanged by now

    Posted 5 years ago by Mickey mouse · Reply

  • Why is Jho Low so afraid the release of the book?
    Jho Low got to prove in court that he is innocent...

    Posted 5 years ago by Sweesing lee · Reply