Jho Low tried to settle 1MDB charges against him

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Apandi Ali acted on behalf of Low’s Washington-based lawyers to arrange meetings with Malaysian government officials in May.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) today confirmed that fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, through his representatives, has made attempts to engage with the government of Malaysia for a settlement this year.

Attorney-General Idrus Harun, however, said all offers for a settlement from representatives of Low, or better known as Jho Low, were rejected by the AGC.

He did not give any reasons for the decision made.

“The AGC confirms that Jho Low, through his representatives, has made attempts to engage with the government of Malaysia for a settlement this year,” Idrus said in a statement today.

“In these attempts, Jho Low’s representatives met with agencies of the government, including the AGC.

Bernama

“All offers for a settlement from Jho Low’s representatives were rejected by the AGC.”

The statement from Idrus comes after former attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali clarified that he had only acted on behalf of Kobre & Kim – a Washington-based firm – to arrange meetings with government officials in May.

“I was approached by Kobre & Kim from Washington, DC, seeking my assistance to arrange a meeting with the AG of Malaysia, at the end of May 2022,” Apandi was quoted as saying.

“I arranged a series of meetings, whereby representatives from Kobre & Kim came to Malaysia.

“At the meetings, which took place at the AGC, the government of Malaysia was represented by the AG and his officer, and a senior officer from the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission).”

Earlier, The Edge reported that Jho Low offered RM1.5 billion to Putrajaya to settle charges against him.

The business daily, quoting unnamed sources, reported that, however, the government has rejected the offer.

It claimed that Jho Low was represented by Apandi in the negotiations.

Low, 40, better known as Jho Low, is the alleged mastermind behind the 1MDB scandal and has been charged in absentia in US and Malaysian courts.

Bloomberg

He is currently at large and his whereabouts are not publicly known despite police efforts to track him down and extradite him. It is believed that he is in China.

Low is facing five money laundering charges involving US$1.03 billion in Malaysia while the US Department of Justice has charged him with conspiracy to launder billions of dollars from 1MDB and conspiracy to violate the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Law firm Messrs Valen & Oh — who had represented Low and his father Larry Low Hock Peng in the lawsuit filed by 1MDB against Low, his family and acquaintance — discharged itself from representing the father and son duo earlier this month.