Fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low, who is allegedly the mastermind behind the 1MDB scandal, is reported to have reach out to the Malaysian government with a RM1.5 billion settlement over the corruption charges against him.
According to The Edge, Jho Low was represented by former Attorney General Tan Sri Apandi Ali in the negotiations with the negotiations ended as the government rejected the offer.
Jho Low, who is accused of siphoning money from 1MDB, is facing a US$3.78 billion (≈RM15.85 billion) suit filed by 1MDB and its four subsidiaries.
Apandi was appointed attorney-general in 2015 under Najib Razak’s tenure as prime minister before his service was terminated in June 2018 following the change in the federal government to Pakatan Harapan.
Meanwhile, Apandi Ali said that he was merely facilitating meetings between Jho Low and the government to discuss the repatriation of billions allegedly siphoned off by Jho Low from the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) sovereign fund.
“The meetings, which at that material time looked positive, were aborted and called off by the AGC (Attorney General’s Chambers) suddenly for reasons best known to them.”
“I was informed by the AG that any attempt to settle with Jho Low will have political repercussions,” he was quoted as saying by The Star.
In a statement, AG Tan Sri Idrus Harun confirmed that all offers for a settlement from Jho Low’s representatives were rejected by the AGC.
“The AGC confirms that Jho Low, through his representatives, has made attempts to engage with the government of Malaysia on a settlement this year.”
“In these attempts, Jho Low’s representatives met with agencies of the government of Malaysia, including the AGC,” he said.
Stay tuned for more updates!
