Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador today rubbished claims that fugitive businessman Jho Low is in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Hamid was responding to news reports that the Penang born billionaire had been offered asylum, was in the United Arab Emirates and had been travelling between Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and other parts of the Middle East since June.
News of the protection granted to the billionaire financier followed on the heels of a DoJ settlement report and came with claims that Low was travelling freely throughout the Mid-East by virtue of his close associations with several Royal households and could even travel to Europe at will.
The impression given was that the UAE, which suffered a fallout with the Government of Malaysia (GoM) over defaulted obligations related to the Abu Dhabi investment front International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC), had been in cahoots with Low and the DoJ all along.
PETALING JAYA: Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador today rubbished claims that fugitive businessman Jho Low is in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Hamid was responding to news reports that the Penang born billionaire had been offered asylum, was in the United Arab Emirates and had been travelling between Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and other parts of the Middle East since June.
According to a news report, the IGP said it was illogical and impossible for a person who is wanted in several countries and widely known as a key figure involved in international money laundering investigations, referred as the crime of the century, to enter the UAE easily.
Elaborating further, Hamid said the UAE has strict security systems, including controls at the airport and the authorities there have established good rapport with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).
“I do not know where this story originated from and I am interested in meeting this person. I wish to state that we are aware of Jho Low’s whereabouts but some people are protecting him … just give me some time.
“I will not stop efforts to track down and bringing back this criminal. If he is not a criminal or has been framed, there is no need to panic, please come home. I will assure that he will be dealt with according to the law,” he said.
Low, accused of masterminding a massive laundering scheme that saw billions being siphoned from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) through bogus enterprises abroad, was reported to have struck a settlement to forfeit assets worth US$700 million, including a Beverly Hills hotel and a private jet, as part of efforts to recover stolen cash.
News of the protection granted to the billionaire financier followed on the heels of the DoJ settlement report and came with claims that Low was travelling freely throughout the Mid-East by virtue of his close associations with several Royal households and could even travel to Europe at will.
The impression given was that the UAE, which suffered a fallout with the Government of Malaysia (GoM) over defaulted obligations related to the Abu Dhabi investment front International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC), had been in cahoots with Low and the DoJ all along.
RJ RITHAUDEEN
