Jho Low says he is not the mastermind behind 1MDB – report

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 6): Jho Low, or Low Taek Jho, a fugitive linked to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) financial scandal said in an interview published today that he was merely an intermediary for 1MDB deals.

Reuters, citing Singaporean publication Straits Times, reports that Jho Low denied that he set the stage for the theft of billions of dollars from the Malaysian state fund.

Facing allegations and charges related to the $4.5 billion defrauded from 1MDB in the United States and Malaysia, Low said in the interview, as he has said in previous statements that the charges against him are politically motivated. 

1MDB, founded by former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is currently the subject of the U.S. Department of Justice's largest ever anti-kleptocracy case.

"People and companies act as introducers or intermediaries all the time," Low said in the interview.

"This is not a unique situation. I was requested to assist because of my good relationships with influential foreign businessmen and decision makers."

When asked why he remained a fugitive, Low said the Malaysian government ignored "basic human rights and fair judicial processes" and claimed he was the mastermind behind 1MDB.

He said that his "professional connections" aided Malaysia, and strong ties had been built with Saudi Arabia in particular, resulting in a boost for Haj pilgrimage quotas, and investments into various sectors.

Low confirmed that he had been offered asylum in August of 2019, though he declined to reveal his current location, and did not name the country that offered him asylum.

He also said that he has had “multiple brushes with cancer”, and would now turn to investing in cancer research.