Jho Low may have fled Macau

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian businessman Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, may have fled Macau after giving Malaysian police the slip in Hong Kong.

According to a South China Morning Post report, Low is “either no longer in Macau or has launched an asylum bid” there.

The report quoted an insider who claimed that the maximum 30-day period to stay in the city would have passed, if Low had been going in and out of the city.

Hence, Low’s only option would be to seek for asylum.

The insider pointed out unlike Hong Kong, Malaysia did not have a mutual legal assistance agreement with Macau.

Previously, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said that Low who is wanted for questioning, had given the Malay­sian police the slip in Hong Kong and escaped to Macau.

Mohamad Fuzi said Bukit Aman sent a team to Hong Kong to locate Low as he was last known to be there.

Besides Bukit Aman, Low is high on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s “wanted list” to assist in investigations over the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.

The Immigration Department cancelled Low’s Malaysian passport effective June 15.

Besides a Malaysian passport, Low reportedly also holds a passport from St Kitts and Nevis.

On another matter, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government will not deport controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik as long as the Indian national behaves.

“As long as he is not creating any problem, we will not deport him, because he has been given PR (permanent resident) status,” said Dr Mahathir.

Naik reportedly left India in 2016 and moved to Malaysia, where he was granted permanent resi­dency.

According to media reports in India, the country had asked for Naik to be returned home for allegations of inciting the youth to engage in terror activities through hate speeches.