Malaysia will not oppose a bid by a fugitive businessman involved in the massive 1MDB corruption scandal to seek a pardon from US President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Friday.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to Seremban district, south of Kuala Lumpur, Anwar described the plea by Low Taek Jho as a “non-issue”.
The businessman, better known as Jho Low, is formally seeking a “pardon after completion of sentence”, according to the US Department of Justice website.
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Whistle-blowers allege that Jho Low, a well-connected Malaysian financier with no official role, helped set up the 1MDB state investment fund and made major financial decisions before disappearing about a decade ago.
Low, who has been indicted in the United States, has denied wrongdoing but remains at large.
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“As far as we are concerned, we are not going in that route,” Anwar said when asked if the government will formally oppose Jho Low’s plea.
“Even if he has submitted, it is not an issue that we should discuss because he is still undergoing this process in courts.”