KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 — Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has echoed the view of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) Task Force chairman Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani that fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, should not be pardoned, amid reports that he is seeking clemency from the United States.
Fahmi, who is also Madani Government spokesperson, said Low should return to Malaysia to face trial for the 1MDB financial scandal.
“Jho Low should not be given any consideration for pardon because the damage and hardship he brought upon the country are far too great.
“He must return and be brought before the courts in Malaysia to face justice. That is what should happen,” he told reporters after an SPM awards ceremony and Lembah Pantai Teachers’ Day Celebration here today.
Fahmi said the government has yet to discuss the matter as the news surfaced while the Cabinet meeting was in session yesterday.
Yesterday, foreign media reported that Low, who has been accused by the US of masterminding one of the largest financial fraud cases in history, allegedly filed a pardon application to US President Donald Trump several weeks ago.
According to the report, approval of the application would see American criminal charges against Low dropped.
The report also said the US Justice Department website listed an application filed under the name Taek Jho Low this year as “pending” for a “Pardon after Completion of Sentence”.
The businessman was charged in 2018 with misappropriating about US$4.5 billion (RM17.7 billion) from 1MDB funds, but remains at large.
