Jho Low: DoJ filing shows Dr M lied about US agreeing to Equanimity seizure

PETALING JAYA: Citing a recent court filing by the US Department of Justice (DoJ), fugitive businessman Jho Taek Low, also known as Jho Low, says the Malaysian Government lied when it claimed the US supported Malaysia’s seizure of the superyacht Equanimity.

"Today's (Aug 17) court filing by the DoJ directly contradicts the false statements of the corrupt Mahathir regime, which stated without equivocation that the United States was involved with, and agreed to, Mahathir's illegal seizure of this asset," said Low's spokesman in a statement.

Low's statement was accompanied by a copy of what is said was the DoJ's court filing dated Aug 17.

According to the copy, the US planned to bring the asset to the US, spending considerable sums on a crew, fuel and the upkeep of the vessel.

"We are not surprised to see the DoJ confirm that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his Attorney General (AG) have been lying all along: Malaysia's illegal seizure of the Equanimity was without US knowledge or consent, and in violation of both a US court order and a decision of the Indonesian court," said the spokesman.

Jho Low's statement accused Dr Mahathir of having "stolen it right out from under them (the US) and flat-out lied about it".

"In fact, Mahathir said on Aug 11: '...they said, if we want to keep it, we are entitled to it because this is ours and bought with stolen Malaysian money, and when we eventually sell the boat we're entitled to the proceeds'.

"And the Malaysian Attorney General stated that the seizure happened after 'sensitive and delicate negotiations with the United States'.

"Based on the DOJ's filing, these are all lies.

"In reality, his desperate attempt to justify his actions makes it impossible to sell the asset for fair value because of still-open legal questions as to actual ownership, and the legal repercussions that might be faced by any new owner," said the spokesman.

Last Saturday (Aug 11), Dr Mahathir said the RM1bil Equanimity would be sold "ASAP" to the highest bidder to recover the stolen money used to buy the superyacht.

The Equanimity is currently docked at the Boustead Cruise Centre in Pulau Indah, Port Klang.