PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia must take a clear stance that all those involved in or responsible for cases related to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal must face action without exception, says Gobind Singh Deo.
The DAP national chairman said the country has suffered immense, multi-generational losses because of the saga, and the architects of the crime should never be allowed to walk free.
“Malaysia should express its concern over a bid by fugitive Jho Low for a pardon in respect of offences he committed in the 1MDB saga.
“While I accept and agree with the Prime Minister that this is a matter for the United States and not for us to decide, it is essential that our position be made clear that all those involved and responsible in cases around the 1MDB scandal must face action without exception,” he said.
His statement on Saturday (May 16) came after reports that fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, widely known as Jho Low, had applied for a presidential pardon in the United States.
Gobind said those responsible for the global conspiracy must be brought to justice for crimes committed in connection with it, whether here in Malaysia or anywhere else in the world.
He added that the Malaysian courts in the 1MDB trial, which spanned years, have already expressed, in the clearest of terms, the severity of the matter.
“Malaysia must be clear and consistent about this. For this reason, we must also continue to demand that Jho Low be returned to face the charges against him here in Malaysia.
“I will raise this matter in Cabinet on Wednesday so that it can be discussed in detail, with the hope that a decision will be taken as to what needs to be done next in this matter moving ahead,” the Digital Minister said.
Low faces multiple charges, including corruption and money laundering in the United States and Malaysia, over his alleged role in the misappropriation of at least US$4.5bil (RM17.6bil) from 1MDB.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that Low is seeking clemency from Trump.
According to the report, which cited sources familiar with the matter, the request was filed in recent weeks and, if granted, would remove the criminal charges against him in the United States.
Following that, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia will not support any pardon for Low, and described the matter as a “non-issue” for Putrajaya.
He added that any decision on a possible pardon application rests entirely with US authorities and is not something Malaysia intends to pursue.
