Malaysian police probe claims Jho Low secretly returned for 1MDB talks

Malaysian police have announced an investigation into claims that fugitive financier Jho Low, central to the multi-billion-dollar 1MDB scandal, secretly returned to Kuala Lumpur for talks. Inspector-General Mohd Khalid Ismail stated on Saturday that the allegations, published by the online portal Sarawak Report, remain unverified but will be probed. According to the report, Low's plea for a US presidential pardon was filed in January under extraordinary circumstances, with the financier leveraging his intricate knowledge of the 1MDB situation and his contacts in Malaysia to facilitate secret negotiations between China and Malaysia. These talks allegedly aimed at writing off debts linked to the scandal, with Low attending under the protection of the Chinese delegation.

The claims mark a dramatic twist in the long-running 1MDB saga, which has involved high-profile figures including former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak. Low has been a fugitive since 2018, facing charges in the US, Malaysia, and Singapore. The Sarawak Report article also suggests that Low’s role in the China-Malaysia negotiations may have been a factor in his pardon request. Malaysian authorities have not confirmed his presence, but the investigation signals continued interest in resolving the scandal. The case remains highly sensitive, with implications for diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China.