Dr M challenges Jho Low to return and repeat Equanimity sale allegations

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mahathir has challenged fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho to repeat his allegations in Malaysia that the Prime Minister had lowered the value of the superyacht Equanimity through his actions.

The luxury yacht was once owned by Low, or better known as Jho Low.

"He can come here and make the same allegations and I will go to the courts to defend my decision (to sell Equanimity)," said Dr Mahathir.

He was speaking to the media, after chairing a monthly Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) meeting here on Wednesday (April 3).

Attorney General Tommy Thomas said on Wednesday the Admiralty Court in Kuala Lumpur had approved Genting Malaysia Bhd's offer to purchase the Equanimity for US$126mil (RM514.14mil).

Low had said the Pakatan Harapan government showed its incompetence in handling the sale of superyacht Equanimity, especially over its sale price.

He claimed that the government had not kept to the rule of law in selling off the yacht, and that the government had not gotten the best possible sale price for the yacht.

"The bargain-basement sale price accepted by the Mahathir government for the yacht Equanimity is the final chapter in yet another tale of the regime's incompetence and disregard for the rule of law.

"It took the Mahathir government twice as long as they promised to sell the yacht, the auction flopped and the 'transparent' sales process the Mahathir government committed to at the outset has been subject to multiple abrupt changes – largely forced on the Government through their own incompetence.

Bidding for the superyacht closed in November last year.

The Equanimity is one of many luxury items seized by the government as part of its probe into money laundering in the 1MDB scandal.