Jho Low, the fugitive Malaysian financier at the heart of the multibillion-dollar 1MDB scandal, is reportedly seeking a pardon from US President Donald Trump. Low faces multiple charges, including corruption and money laundering, in both the United States and Malaysia for his alleged role in the misappropriation of at least $4.5 billion from the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) state fund.
The 1MDB Scandal
The 1MDB scandal, which began to unfold in 2015, is considered one of the largest financial frauds in history. Billions of dollars were plundered from the now-defunct sovereign wealth fund. Low has consistently denied any wrongdoing, and his current whereabouts remain unknown.
Pardon Request
According to the Wall Street Journal, Low recently filed a request for a pardon that, if granted, would eliminate US criminal charges against him. A White House official stated that Low's request is not currently on their radar. The US Justice Department website lists a pending request for a “pardon after completion of sentence” under the name Taek Jho Low, filed earlier this year.
Reactions from Malaysia
Johari Abdul Ghani, chair of a Malaysian taskforce tasked with recovering funds and assets linked to 1MDB worldwide, has called for the pardon request to be denied. He urged the US to assist Malaysia in locating Low for further investigations. “As far as I’m concerned, I’m against the pardon,” Johari said. He also noted that he was unaware of any talks between Low and Malaysia regarding the return of assets.
Asset Recovery Efforts
The Wall Street Journal reported that Malaysia temporarily lifted an Interpol red notice against Low, which would have made him subject to arrest almost anywhere in the world, to facilitate the return of significant assets. In 2019, the US reached a deal to recover about $1 billion from Low, with the fugitive agreeing to forfeit a private jet and high-end real estate in Beverly Hills, New York, and London, among other assets.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated in 2023 that the government was negotiating with other countries to expedite Low's return, though he declined to name the nations involved. Authorities have previously indicated that Low is believed to be in China, although Beijing has denied this.
