1MDB financier Jho Low seeks pardon from Donald Trump

Lead

Fugitive Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, has formally requested a pardon from US President Donald Trump, according to multiple reports. The request, filed with the US Justice Department, seeks a “pardon after completion of sentence” and could remove US criminal charges against Low, who is accused of orchestrating the multibillion-dollar 1MDB scandal.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said the government will not oppose the plea, describing it as a “non-issue.” However, the head of a Malaysian taskforce seeking to recover 1MDB-linked assets has publicly opposed the pardon, and analysts say the request appears unlikely to succeed.

Coverage Comparison

The Guardian reported that Low faces multiple charges including corruption and money laundering in the US and Malaysia, and that a pardon, if granted, would remove US criminal charges against him. The Guardian also noted that Johari Abdul Ghani, chair of a Malaysian taskforce seeking to recover funds linked to 1MDB, said Low’s request should be denied and the US should instead assist Malaysia in locating him for further investigations.

The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that Low submitted a pardon application to the US Justice Department this year, citing a notice on the department’s website. SCMP also detailed allegations that Low was the mastermind of a scheme that siphoned at least US$4.5 billion from Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund, 1MDB, and that federal prosecutors allege he paid about US$2 billion in bribes to foreign officials, including former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak.

SCMP also covered the Malaysian government’s stance, quoting Anwar as saying the plea is not an issue the government should discuss because Low is “still undergoing this process in courts.” Additionally, SCMP reported that Malaysian police are investigating claims that Low returned to the country for secret meetings, though police chief Mohd Khalid Ismail said the claims had not been verified.

Key Claims

• Pardon request filed: Low formally requested a “pardon after completion of sentence” from the US Justice Department, according to the department’s website. The Guardian reported the request was filed this year, and SCMP also reported the application was submitted this year.
• Alleged role in 1MDB: Low is accused of being the architect of a scheme that siphoned at least US$4.5 billion from Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund, 1MDB. The Guardian also reported allegations of misappropriation of at least US$4.5 billion.
• Bribes and personal gain: Federal prosecutors allege Low paid about US$2 billion in bribes to foreign officials, including Najib Razak, and pocketed at least US$1.42 billion from the scheme, as reported by SCMP.
• Malaysia’s response: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia will not oppose Low’s pardon bid, describing it as a “non-issue.” However, Johari Abdul Ghani, chair of a Malaysian taskforce, said he is against the pardon and urged the US to help locate Low for further investigations.
• Police investigation: Malaysian police are investigating claims that Low returned to the country for secret meetings, according to SCMP. Inspector-General of Police Mohd Khalid Ismail said the claims have not been verified.
• Analysts’ assessment: Analysts say the request appears unlikely to succeed because Low has never appeared in a US court, stood trial, or accepted responsibility, and a pardon cannot erase charges he faces in Malaysia and Singapore, as reported by SCMP.

Perspectives

Malaysian Government: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia will not formally oppose Low’s pardon request, calling it a “non-issue” and noting that Low is still undergoing legal processes in courts.

Malaysian Taskforce: Johari Abdul Ghani, chair of the taskforce seeking to recover 1MDB-linked assets, said he is against the pardon and that the US should instead assist Malaysia in locating Low for further investigations.

Analysts: Analysts suggest the pardon request is unlikely to succeed due to Low’s failure to appear in court, stand trial, or accept responsibility, and because a pardon would not affect charges in Malaysia and Singapore.