Jho Low and dad ditch 1MDB trial lawyers

PETALING JAYA: Messrs Valen, Oh & Partners will no longer be representing fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho (pic) over 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) financial scandal matters.

The Edge reported that the law firm's appointment had been terminated by Kobre & Kim LLP as the instructing solicitors on the matter.

Messrs Valen, Oh & Partners filed an application to the High Court to discharge itself from representing Low, also known as Jho Low, and his father Tan Sri Low Hock Peng.

The application hearing, which was submitted on April 8, has been fixed for May 12 following case management on the matter on Thursday, it said.

On Jan 5, Jho Low and his parents entered an appearance in the suit filed by 1MDB against them.

The appearance was entered by the law firm, Messrs. Valen, Oh & Partners representing the three defendants on Dec 29, 2021.

1MDB and four of its subsidiaries are suing Low, his father, his mother Puan Sri Goh Gaik Ewe, as well as his sister May Lin and brother Taek Szen, along with his associate Eric Tan Kim Loong for a total of US$3.78bil (RM16bil).

However the law firm is not discharging itself from representing Goh.

On May 7, 1MDB and its four subsidiaries, 1MDB Energy Holdings Limited, 1MDB Energy Limited, 1MDB Energy (Langat) Limited and Global Diversified Investment Company Limited formerly known as 1MDB Global Investments Limited, had filed a suit against the six defendants.

Based on the writ, 1MDB was claiming US$661mil from Jho Low and US$41mil, US$397mil, US$608mil and US$1.9bil from Jho Low and Tan respectively as well as US$325mil from Jho Low and his father Hock Peng.

1MDB Global Investments Limited was also seeking US$630mil from Hock Peng, Jho Low and Tan and US$2mil from Taek Szen, Jho Low and Tan.

The plaintiffs were also seeking US$3.5mil from May Lin and Jho Low and US$1.695mil from Goh Jho Low and Tan in connection with the purchase of jewellery and secret profits apart from claiming US$25.5mil from Jho Low, Tan, Hock Peng and Taek Szen.