Malaysia’s stance on Jho Low unchanged even if Trump grants pardon, says Anwar

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s position on fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, will remain unchanged even if he is granted a pardon by US president Donald Trump, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said.

Anwar said any decision on a pardon in the US was a matter for that country, but stressed that Malaysia would continue to pursue Low through its own legal process, Berita Harian reported.

“Malaysia’s position is clear. We will follow the rule of law. That (a pardon) is a decision for the US and its own affair, but our position will not be influenced, affected, or undermined by that country’s decision,” he was quoted as saying after Friday prayers in Cheras.

International media had reported that Low was among about 250 people who could be considered for a pardon by Trump under an initiative dubbed “250 Pardons for 250 Years” to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence tomorrow.

The Atlantic magazine, citing sources familiar with the discussions, first reported the initiative, though it said Trump’s advisers remained divided over whether the mass pardon plan should proceed.

Following the report, a White House official told the publication that while Trump remained the final decision-maker on all pardons, the individuals named, including Low, were “not on the radar of the pardon team”.

Anwar had previously said that Malaysia will not focus on or consider any issue related to a pardon for Low.

Low is accused by US authorities of being the mastermind behind the 1MDB financial scandal, reputed to be one of the largest financial frauds in history.

He was charged in 2018 with embezzling about US$4.5 billion (RM17.7 billion) from 1MDB funds, and is still at large and wanted by authorities.