Khairy: Hisham's offer to go after Jho Low interesting, but it should not be a personal effort

Khairy Jamaluddin. -Star filepic

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno lawmaker Khairy Jamaluddin (pic) supports Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein's offer to find fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, but says it should not be a personal effort.

Khairy (BN-Rembau) said the offer was interesting, but if the former defence minister had any information on Low's whereabouts, he should have given it to authorities.

"If he (Hishammuddin) has any information, he should share it with the government, because that is the best way to bring Jho Low back to face investigation," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby on Tuesday (Oct 23).

The Rembau MP was asked to comment on Hishammuddin's personal offer to go after Jho Low, who is believed to be in China.

On Monday (Oct 22), Hishammuddin said he would use his previous contacts and links with the Chinese government and friends to try and bring Jho Low back.

According to Khairy, such matters would need the cooperation from various agencies between Malaysia and China, as it involves multiple laws.
"It should not be a personal effort. It must be done between government and government," he said.

Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz (BN-Padang Rengas) said the move should be applauded, as Malaysians wanted to know Jho Low's exact whereabouts.

"If Hishammuddin has the capabilities and space, I think it is a good (move).

"Everyone wants to know the story behind it, as he is a key player in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) controversy, so I think its a good gesture," said Nazri.

Asked on allegations that Hishammuddin's offer was to avoid investigation by authorities such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Nazri said that such accusations were baseless.

"I was also accused of the same thing when I defended the MACC's move to investigate Umno leaders.

"At one point while I was the minister in charge of MACC, I was also investigated by the agency.

"I was accused of accepting money from the issuance of taxi permits.

"I was never angry at them. So it happens I am in the opposition now, I cannot accuse them of not doing work.

"I do not want to play politics on this issue," he said.