Anwar: No confirmation on Jho Low's location, but return could reveal more 1MDB links
KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said efforts to bring fugitive financier Low Taek Jho — better known as Jho Low — back to Malaysia may unsettle certain quarters.
In an interview with Al Jazeera's 101 East, Anwar acknowledged that there are likely individuals who do not want Low to be brought back, suggesting that his return could potentially expose more people connected to the scandal.
When asked if there were camps resisting Low's return, Anwar replied that he believed so.
'I think he is quite instrumental and his testimony will be pivotal in actually closing... putting an end to this case (1MDB),' he told Al Jazeera.
Addressing the challenges of repatriating Low — particularly amid speculation that he may be in China — Anwar said, 'no one knows his whereabouts'.
He added that while authorities suspect some movements, they are unable to confirm his location. 'If I say more, there will be more complications,' he noted.
Still, Anwar stressed that bringing Low back was not his sole priority as prime minister. He said his broader mission is to restore good governance and eradicate systemic corruption — a long-term effort that goes well beyond the 1MDB case.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
18 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Federal Court sets June 19 decision date for SIS Forum's appeal against ‘deviant' fatwa
KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 — The Federal Court will deliver its ruling on June 19 in the appeal filed by SIS Forum (Malaysia) against a fatwa issued by the Selangor religious authorities, which declared the organisation deviant and contrary to Islamic teachings. The matter was confirmed by Datuk Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar, counsel for the Selangor Fatwa Committee, when contacted today. 'The court informed the parties of the decision date via email on May 20,' he said. In addition to the Selangor Fatwa Committee, the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) and the Selangor government are also named as respondents in the appeal. On Aug 21, 2023, the Federal Court granted leave to SIS Forum and its founder, Zainah Mahfoozah Anwar, to appeal against the Court of Appeal's earlier decision dismissing their bid to annul the fatwa. In a 2-1 majority decision, the Court of Appeal held that the fatwa issued by the Selangor Fatwa Committee did not constitute a final decision and, therefore, could not be challenged by way of judicial review. SIS Forum and Zainah had appealed to the Court of Appeal after the High Court dismissed their application for a judicial review on Aug 27, 2019. The fatwa, gazetted by the Selangor State Government on July 31, 2014, declared SIS Forum, as well as any individual or group subscribing to liberalism and pluralism, as deviant and contrary to Islamic teachings. The fatwa further directed that any publication espousing liberal or pluralist views be banned and seized, and urged the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to censor social media content deemed contrary to Islamic teachings and syariah law. — Bernama
New Straits Times
21 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Anwar joins 500 congregants in Takbir Raya ahead of Aidiladha
KAJANG: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim joined around 500 congregants in reciting the Takbir Raya in celebration of Hari Raya Aidiladha tomorrow. Anwar, who was dressed in light grey Baju Melayu, led the recitation after Friday prayers at Surau Al Ikhwan, here. Also present was Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. Meanwhile, today's Friday sermon touched on the significance of Arafah Day for Muslims, calling for sincere reflection and spiritual renewal. The sermon urged Muslims to enliven Islam in worship by purifying their hearts from arrogance and negligence, and to embody Islamic values in character by being honest, trustworthy, avoiding deceit, slander, and betrayal. It also called for Muslims to uphold Islamic principles in family life by nurturing love grounded in religious teachings, fulfilling responsibilities, and providing spiritual guidance to spouses and children.
Malay Mail
35 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Blogger fined S$6,000 over TikTok video falsely accusing Singapore minister of slur against Malays
SINGAPORE, June 6 — A blogger who uploaded a TikTok video falsely accusing Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo of making racist remarks against Malays has been fined S$6,000 (RM19,745). According to The Straits Times, Manmeet Singh Bahadar Singh, 57, pleaded guilty today to knowingly promoting racial disharmony — an offence under Singapore's laws against inciting division between racial groups. Singh's video, posted on August 12, 2024, repeated a false claim that Teo had called Malays 'i*****' during a Chinese-language interview about Singapore's development since independence. The claim originated from an unverified WordPress blog post, which Singh had received via WhatsApp from an unknown sender. Without checking the facts, Singh uploaded a TikTok video captioned: 'Minister Josephine Teo blurted 'Malays are i****' in a Chinese interview'*, and repeated the blog post's allegation. He urged his followers to 'go look it up'. 'I have been voicing out for, you know, against racial discrimination in Singapore. And look what happened now? My prediction's right!' he said in the video, which ended with the words 'bring them down'. At the time, Singh had more than 9,000 followers on TikTok. The video was 'live' for several hours — long enough for Teo to be asked about it by a reporter and colleagues. She then alerted her press secretary, who saved a copy of the video and lodged a police report. Singh deleted the video later that day, suspecting it might be false. He then posted a second video, publicly apologising to Teo and admitting his claims were untrue. He was arrested on February 4 and released on bail the next day. In a statement to The Straits Times, Teo said: 'Growing up in the 1970s, I have seen for myself how precious — and fragile — racial and religious harmony is in our diverse society. It is why I do not take for granted the many friendships with schoolmates, colleagues and community leaders of different faiths or races.' She called the accusation 'serious' and said it cast a shadow on those friendships. 'Besides feeling personally hurt, I was concerned about the hurt to my friends if things were not put right,' she added, explaining her decision to pursue a police report. 'With the sentencing passed, I hope to put this episode behind me. Our world threatens to fall apart because of all kinds of hatred and conflicts. I hope this episode reminds us all to be careful not to sow discord but instead to spread peace.' Under Singapore law, those found guilty of promoting enmity between different racial groups can be jailed for up to three years, fined, or both.
