The Cabinet is expected to discuss reports concerning fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, and his alleged application for a pardon from United States authorities during next week’s meeting.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the matter was only briefly raised during today’s Cabinet meeting and was therefore not formally discussed.
“… but it will certainly be brought to the attention of the Cabinet next week,” he told reporters during the weekly post-Cabinet press conference at Angkasapuri on Wednesday.
Fahmi, who is also the spokesperson for the Madani Government, was responding to questions regarding international reports claiming that Jho Low had applied for clemency from US President Donald Trump, and whether Malaysia planned to submit any formal objection to US authorities over the move.
When asked if the Malaysian government had received any official notification from US authorities regarding the application, Fahmi said the matter was not discussed during the Cabinet meeting.
“I would like to ask the media to refer this matter to the Home Minister or the Foreign Minister,” he added.
International media previously reported that Jho Low, who has been accused by US authorities of masterminding one of the largest financial fraud cases in history, had reportedly filed a pardon request to Trump several weeks ago.
According to the reports, approval of the application could potentially result in the dismissal of criminal charges filed against Jho Low in the United States.
The reports also stated that the US Department of Justice website listed an application filed under the name Taek Jho Low this year as “pending” under the category of “Pardon after Completion of Sentence”.
The businessman was charged in 2018 over the alleged misappropriation of approximately US$4.5 billion (RM17.7 billion) linked to 1Malaysia Development Berhad. However, he remains at large and is still wanted by authorities.
