PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will not support any pardon for fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who described the matter as a “non-issue” for Putrajaya.
The Prime Minister said any decision on a possible pardon application rests entirely with US authorities and is not something Malaysia intends to pursue.
“There is no issue. We are not going to consider that. No issue,” he told reporters in Negri Sembilan yesterday when asked about reports surrounding Jho Low’s alleged pardon application in the United States.
Asked whether the Malaysian government would formally oppose such a move, Anwar made it clear that Malaysia would not.
“No. Its a US decision, as far as we are concerned, we are not going to take that route. We are not supporting that route. But of course for the United States, it’s their own business,” he said.
Responding to remarks by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, who recently said Jho Low should not be pardoned and should instead return to Malaysia, Anwar reiterated that the matter was not an issue for his administration.
“No, we have made it very clear. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a non-issue. I’m not aware that he has submitted, or even submitted it (the pardon request to US President Donald Trump).
“It’s not an issue that we should discuss. But he is still undergoing the process in court,” he said.
Jho Low was previously identified as a central figure in the 1MDB scandal.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that Jho 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.
