Anwar Says Government Will Not Consider Pardon for Jho Low
IPOH: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has firmly stated that the government will not consider granting any form of pardon to fugitive businessman Jho Low, who has been linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) financial scandal.
According to him, the government sees no reason to entertain any request for clemency should such a move arise.
“We will not consider it at all if he seeks a pardon. This is related to the issue raised yesterday.
“I already addressed the matter, but it created confusion. When I said it was not an issue, I meant the government would simply not consider it,” he told reporters in Ipoh today.
Earlier, Anwar Ibrahim attended a ceremony involving the presentation of Letters of Acceptance (SST) for Education Ministry projects awarded to Bumiputera small contractors at the Perak Education Department hall.
He said Jho Low was linked to serious wrongdoing that caused billions of ringgit in losses to the country.
“He was involved in acts of fraud and criminal misconduct that resulted in enormous losses for the nation. Therefore, the issue of a pardon simply does not arise,” he said.
The Prime Minister added that some parties had misunderstood his earlier remarks, leading to confusion regarding the government’s position on the matter.
He explained that when he described the issue as “not arising”, he meant that the government had no intention of giving any attention or consideration to a pardon for the fugitive financier.
Yesterday, media reports quoted Anwar Ibrahim as saying Malaysia would not interfere if Jho Low sought clemency from United States President Donald Trump, as it would be considered an internal matter of the United States.
According to him, the Malaysian government does not plan to take any formal action regarding the issue.
Jho Low was previously accused of misappropriating approximately US$4.5 billion, or nearly RM17.7 billion, from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
He has remained an international fugitive since 2018 and has yet to be apprehended by authorities.
-wilayah.com.my
