No bounty for wanted man Jho Low, says Home Ministry

KUALA LUMPUR: It isn’t necessary to offer any reward for information leading to the whereabouts of fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho (pic), commonly known as Jho Low, the Dewan Rakyat was told.

The Home Ministry said Interpol’s existing Red Notice was the best method to locate Low and his known associates, as it uses cooperation and a more precise intelligence method.

“On rewarding those that may have information regarding Low and his associates, the police is of the opinion that for now, the Interpol’s Red Notice method is the best because it uses the elements of cooperation and it has more precise intelligence information,” said the ministry.

According to the Home Ministry, the Red Notice method compeled all of its 195 member countries to relay any necessary information regarding Low to Malaysia to allow for extradition.

“All information regarding Low’s whereabouts in foreign countries are always scrutinised by the police, including cooperating with foreign authorities based on existing international channels and this is based on the good relations and cooperation with the authorities of foreign countries.”

The Home Ministry said this in a written reply dated Oct 4, in response to Lim Lip Eng (PH-Kepong), who asked why Putrajaya didn't offer any rewards to anyone who has the latest information regarding Low and his accomplices.

On Sept 8, Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said extradition requests for Low cannot be made, as none of the Interpol member countries confirmed his whereabouts in their respective countries.

Acryl said the police have filed 13 charges against Low in court even without him present (In Absentia) involving the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.

The Malaysian police obtained a Red Notice from Interpol against Low in 2018.