Jho Low’s aide repatriated to Malaysia over misappropriation of 1MDB, SRC funds

KUALA LUMPUR: One of Low Taek Jho’s aides who was suspected of receiving money misappropriated from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and SRC International Sdn Bhd (SRC) funds has been repatriated.

The move was a result of cooperation between the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) with law enforcement agencies from abroad.

Sources revealed that the individual arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) at 3.30am on May 3.

"Upon arriving at KLIA2, the individual who had been missing since 2018, was then handed a notice ordering him to appear at the MACC headquarters at Putrajaya at 10am on Thursday (May 4).

"MACC officers recorded his statement and his house was searched on the same day," the source said.

The source also revealed that the individual was believed to have received money from the misappropriation of 1MDB and SRC funds through the bank account of a company known as Wright Shaw Limited.

Previously, the MACC in collaboration with Singapore's Commercial Affairs Departments (CAD Singapore) had successfully seized the bank account belonging to Wright Shaw Limited amounting to approximately US$5.2mil.

"The investigation also proved that he had received money from the misappropriation of 1MDB funds through Yayasan Rakyat 1Malaysia (YR1M).

"On April 26, 2023, the MACC in collaboration with CAD Singapore, successfully brought home an estimated RM16mil from Totality Limited, which was owned by 1MDB’s business development executive director," the source said, adding that this individual was involved with 1MDB, which was then known as Terengganu Investment Authority (TIA), until 2011.

The source said he conspired to mislead the bank and hide certain facts from the board of directors of 1MDB to transfer US$700mil to Good Star Ltd, allegedly owned by Low, also known as Jho Low.

"The MACC had issued an arrest warrant (Red Notice) dated June 29, 2018, against this other individual who still cannot be traced and has disappeared after he was found to have committed an offence under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009 read together with Section 28 of the same Act," the source said.

MACC chief commissioner, Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed the matter, and said they are now trying to bring back more assets from the individuals involved in Singapore.

"The MACC has so far managed to recover about 70% of 1MDB's assets worth approximately RM28.3bil," he said.