Police chief to Jho Low: Come back and we will ensure your safety

Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador today urged 1MDB-linked fugitive Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, to return to the country, promising that the businessperson and his family would be protected from any harm.

Hamid said Jho Low cannot be running from the law forever, and he should come back if he is truly innocent and prove it in court.

"I encourge them (Jho Low and his accomplices) to come back; don't waste our time, for they can't run forever," he said at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

"We have laws (in this country), so return. Do not only issue statements remotely through lawyers, denying this and that.

"Why does he himself not return here? I give my assurance of safety for his family and himself. (Come back) and face the law."

Hamid also told reporters that rumours saying that Jho Low would be tortured and murdered if he returns to Malaysia are not true.

He said the country still has laws, and gave his words that the man and his family would not be harmed by the police.

"I assure them that the Malaysian police won't harm them. They can engage the best lawyers in the whole world to defend them, it is okay. But I encourage them to come back."

The IGP's assurance for Jho Low came when he was asked if there was any update on police probe into 1MDB, including the fugitive's whereabouts.

Jho Low's assistance was highly sought after by authorities to facilitate the ongoing probe into the troubled state investment arm.

Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak had since been slapped with multiple criminal charges pertaining to the government-owned company. The matter is scheduled to go into full trial this Aug 19.

Hamid said the investigation was still ongoing, but police are now focusing on "culprits in hiding", referring to Jho Low and his right-hand men who were directly involved in the case.

He said it would be better for Jho Low and his accomplices to have justice delivered sooner rather than later.

"The country must move, so we have to settle this 1MDB fiasco as soon as possible. Don't waste our time. We need to progress, we are not going to be stuck in this time tunnel, this very ugly episode for the country," he said.

When asked if Jho Low is still in China as revealed by former Council of Eminent Persons chairperson Daim Zainuddin, Hamid declined to reveal the information.

However, he added, police know his location and they are going to find ways to bring him back.

Meanwhile, on other matters, Hamid said police raided Deloitte Malaysia office in Taman Tun Dr Ismail yesterday to find some documents and check the records of its dealings in relation to 1MDB.

However, he had yet to receive briefing on the raid from officers involved, but believed that they have got "a lot of things" from the operation.

On Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's announcement yesterday that a special committee will be set up to re-investigate the missing cases of Pastor Raymond Koh and Amri Che Mat, Hamid said he cannot comment much as he has yet to meet Muhyiddin.

"But I think that is the way it should go." - Mkini