Najib’s lawyer claims Jho Low is hiding in Myanmar, protected by generals

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Senior lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah has alleged that fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho is currently hiding in Myanmar, a country beset by conflict and instability.

Shafee, who is the lead counsel for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, made the claim on Tuesday (19 November) during a forum titled ‘Media Townhall: Getting the Facts Right—The Untold Stories of 1MDB & Other Cases’

The lawyer’s statement was based on his cross-examination of Jasmine Loo Ai Swan, the former general counsel of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), who was once considered one of Low’s proxies.

Loo, who turned rogue in 2018 before surrendering to authorities last year, was a key witness in Najib’s corruption trial concerning the misappropriation of billions from 1MDB.

Shafee suggested that, through Loo’s testimony in April 2024, he concluded that Low is in Myanmar, possibly under the protection of the military junta.

Shafee alleges Low’s ability to secure a Myanmar passport for Loo signals his influence and protection by Myanmar’s generals

He highlighted that Low had arranged for Loo to travel to Myanmar with a Myanmar passport, despite her initial use of a Malaysian one.

According to Shafee, the ability to procure the passport was indicative of Low’s influence and the protection he may have in Myanmar.

“From the testimony which I grilled Loo, I think he (Low) is in Myanmar, protected by the generals,” Shafee said, adding, “Myanmar is like a cowboy country. You can do wonderful things there.”

Loo confirmed in her testimony that she entered Myanmar in 2019 and remained there for four years, negotiating her safe return to Malaysia in 2021.

However, she faced difficulties when Myanmar soldiers apprehended her upon her arrival.

Loo further explained that her passport was not stamped, as she used a separate travel document arranged by Low to present herself as a local.

The allegations come amid ongoing investigations into 1MDB and the high-profile corruption case involving Najib Razak.

Loo surrendered herself to Malaysian authorities in July 2023 to assist in investigations over the 1MDB scandal that looted more than US$4 billion (SGD5.32 billion) from the Malaysian sovereign wealth fund. Loo’s name was excessively mentioned during Najib’s ongoing corruption trial.

Earlier this month, an UK-based financial fraud investigator, Richard Templeman, testified in the Malaysian High Court that Low and his associate Eric Tan Kim Loong allegedly used 1MDB funds for gambling in Las Vegas in 2012.

Templeman revealed that US$13 million was transferred to Las Vegas Sands LLC, where transactions were designated for specific player numbers associated with Low and Tan.

Najib Razak to defend 25 charges in 1MDB scandal after court deems evidence sufficient

Kuala Lumpur High Court on 30 October decided that former PM Najib Razak will proceed with his defence on 25 charges of abuse of power and money laundering.

Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah found the prosecution’s evidence compelling enough to require Najib to respond formally to the charges in 1MDB corruption case.

Najib faces four counts of abuse of power for allegedly using his position to receive RM2.28 billion (approximately US$518 million) from 1MDB funds, in addition to 21 counts of money laundering involving the same amount.

The abuse of power charges are connected to events that allegedly took place at an AmIslamic Bank Bhd branch on Jalan Raja Chulan between 24 February 2011 and 19 December 2014, while the money laundering charges involve alleged transactions occurring between 22 March and 30 August 2013.

If convicted, Najib faces up to 20 years in prison and fines up to five times the value of the gratification received or RM10,000  (US$2,290), whichever is greater.

Najib issued a public apology last month for what he described as mishandling the 1MDB scandal, stating in a letter read by his son at a press conference that “it pains me every day to know that the 1MDB debacle happened under my watch as minister of finance and prime minister.”

However, Najib has also maintained his innocence, arguing that he should not be held legally accountable for activities he claims he neither initiated nor knowingly supported.

Najib is already serving a sentence following his conviction in a separate 1MDB-related case involving SRC International, another former subsidiary.

His original 12-year sentence was later reduced by half.