Offering to tap China ties to track Jho Low and going there to bring the fugitive financier back to face justice.
Former defence minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein expressed his readiness today to leverage his relationships in China to secure the extradition of Jho Low.
The former Umno vice president said he is planning a visit to China in his own personal capacity soon and was ready to approach his contacts there to broach the topic of sending Low back to Malaysia.
“[China is] a very independent nation but I have enough contacts, friends from the past leadership. We want justice and closure.
“If it is true he [Jho Low] is in China, then I will use the networking I have to ensure he comes back and face justice,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby, today.
Hishammuddin stressed that he is making the offer in his personal capacity, and not upon Putrajaya’s request.
Low was charged in absentia with money laundering here and remains wanted for investigations into the 1MDB scandal.
He is variously believed to be in China and Taiwan, but his precise location remains unknown.
Sembrong MP was responding to a question on whether he had been tasked by Putrajaya to mend ties with China.
“I don’t know if he is in China. To find out whether it is true, I will need to speak with the Chinese leadership. And if the Chinese leadership is withholding him, I want to know why,” he said.
“Whether [Jho Low] is guilty or not guilty, the court will decide. But he cannot be roaming around the world as though nothing has happened,” he added.
On a related matter, Hishammuddin also denied rumours that he has been asked by the Malaysian government to warm ties between Malaysian and the Middle East nations.
“That is also not true,” he said.