PORT KLANG: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has described the US$250mil (RM1bil) superyacht Equanimity, which purportedly belonged to fugitive businessman Jho Low, as being very luxurious.
"It's very luxurious, super luxurious. I have been on yachts before but nothing like this. Everything is superb, and bought with stolen money, by crooks. We'll get at the crooks," he added.
Earlier, Dr Mahathir spent an hour touring the superyacht after arriving at 11.40am Saturday (Aug 11) at the Boustead Cruise Centre where it is currently berthed at Pulau Indah here.
The media was not allowed on board.
Later asked how he felt touring the ship, Dr Mahathir said that he felt like he was on a ship that was bought with money stolen by "crooks".
On whether the public will be allowed to board the ship and have a look at its interior, Dr Mahathir said the superyacht would not be open for public viewing.
He said since the Government plans to sell the Equanimity, it needs to be kept in very good condition.
"On yachts people don't even wear shoes, but we were given some privilege to wear shoes.
"But if we allowed hundreds of people to come and view the yacht, we might damage the yacht. It will give a very bad impression and buyers won't want to buy the ship exhibited like that.
"So we cannot allow the public to view the yacht."
However, Dr Mahathir said that photos have been taken of the vessel's luxurious interior.
"We can show you what it is like," he said, without giving further details on when the photos will be released.
Dr Mahathir said the ship had "fantastic" elevators inside it, where even the cables were hidden from sight.
"The furniture is special for this boat, I think. I have never seen furniture like that anywhere else, and the rooms are fantastic."
Describing the most luxurious room in the ship which is the master bedroom, Dr Mahathir said the room has a glass roof, so one can sleep on the bed and look at the sky.
"There is a skylight, and of course if it is too hot you can close it. Everything you can think of is found there, and many things you don't even think about are also there," he said.
Asked about the ships value, the Prime Minister said some have valued the ship at more than US$100mil while others have said that the Equanimity is worth US$250mil.
Accompanying Dr Mahathir during his inspection of the ship were Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu, Deputy Defence Minister Liew Chin Tong, Armed Forces chief Tan Sri Jen Zulkifli Zainal Abidin, Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun.
The superyacht linked to Low and the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal was originally seized by Indonesian authorities in Bali on Feb 28 on the application of the US Department of Justice (DOJ).
The DOJ seized the yacht and asserted ownership of it on behalf of Malaysia and 1MDB because money belonging to the country was used to purchase it.
Indonesian authorities handed over the vessel to Malaysian marine police off Batam island on Monday (Aug 6).
The following day the ship headed here and docked.
On Monday, the DOJ in a filing to the California Central District Court proposed a suspension of all proceedings in the department's legal actions regarding the vessel.
This was to allow the US government and any interested claimant the opportunity to inquire of Malaysia through formal channels what its intentions are with respect to the yacht.