IGP Rubbishes Claim That Jho Low Was In India On His Birthday
An Asia Times report claimed that Jho Low was in the Indian city of Ahmedabad earlier this month.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 14 Nov 2019, 12:46 PM
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador has refuted the claim that fugitive businessman Jho Low was in India earlier this month
The Malaysian top cop told Free Malaysia Today yesterday, 13 November, that the exclusive report by Asia Times is "fake news".
The report published on Tuesday, 12 November, claimed that Jho Low, whose real name is Low Taek Jho, spent three days in India and left the country on 5 November.
The Asia Times report had quoted Indian law enforcement officers saying that Low was in the country
According to the report, Low spent his birthday in Ahmedabad, the largest city in the state of Gujerat, on 4 November.
The sources told Asia Times that local police monitored Low's movements, but did not arrest the fugitive financier - who has an Interpol red notice issued against him.
The pan-Asia news site also reported that it was "a somewhat unlikely location" for Low, who is known for being a flamboyant partier, to throw an elaborate birthday celebration in the Indian city.
Low reportedly left Ahmedabad via Thailand-based charter airline MJets
Asia Times quoted the Indian law enforcement officers saying that Low boarded a Gulfstream G200 private jet identified by the tail number HS-VNT at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, on 5 November.
The plane was heading to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
However, MJets denied that Low was onboard on its aircraft and that suggestions to the contrary are "untrue, unfounded, and unsubstantiated".
Jho Low is currently wanted by the authorities in Malaysia, Singapore, and the United States
The alleged central figure in the 1MDB scandal maintained his innocence, but agreed to forfeit up to USD1 billion (approximately RM4.1 billion) in assets last month following a deal struck between the US Justice Department and him, reported Bloomberg.
It was previously speculated that Low underwent plastic surgery and now looks like a 'bear'.
Asia Times reported that security experts believe Low has been using 'ground butler services' to move around countries undetected.
The service, which is often used by VIPs and celebrities, allows them to not be present when their passports go through immigration checkpoints.
Previously, the IGP said the police know where Jho Low is but the country refuses to cooperate with Malaysia
Abdul Hamid, however, did not reveal the name of the country, adding that the fugitive businessman is protected by powerful people there, reported Malaysiakini.
