Fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, could be among the 250 individuals slated to receive a pardon from United States President Donald Trump in conjunction with the nation’s 250th Independence Day on July 4.
According to The Atlantic, Pras Michel, of the music group Fugees, is also being considered for a pardon.
Michel was convicted of conspiring with Low and a Chinese government official to orchestrate a lobbying campaign aimed at halting US criminal investigations into the 1MDB scandal after the funds had already been misappropriated.
The Atlantic stated that representatives for Low did not respond to a request for comment.
“The White House is discussing a possible announcement of presidential pardons as a centrepiece of the nation’s semiquincentennial celebrations over the July 4 weekend, according to 14 people familiar with the conversations. The idea has been described as ‘250 pardons for 250 years’,” read the report.
The Atlantic also reported that Trump’s advisers remain divided over whether issuing mass pardons to mark the anniversary of US independence would be a good idea.
“One adviser said there had been polling that suggested that a mass pardon could benefit the president, but any action was unlikely by Independence Day.
“Advocates for the plan say that it would both underscore the president’s singular authority and reinforce an image he has long sought to cultivate: ‘Trump the merciful’,” it added.
‘Non-issue for M’sia’
The report stated that the prospect of mass pardons has triggered an international wave of lobbying and dealmaking, with even marginal proximity to the president becoming monetisable.
Previously, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Putrajaya would not file a protest against Low’s application for a pardon from Trump.
He said while Malaysia does not support Low’s attempt, it is a matter for the US and is considered a “non-issue” for Malaysia.
“We are not supporting that route. But of course, it’s the US, their own business,” he said.
The prime minister added that he was unaware of the supposed pardon application, but stressed that Low still has to face the justice system in Malaysia.
“Even if he has submitted it, it is not an issue that we should discuss because he is still undergoing this process in court,” he said.
1MDB mastermind
Low has been accused of masterminding a scheme that siphoned at least US$4.5 billion (about RM17.7 billion) from 1MDB, together with two former bankers from Goldman Sachs.
On May 13, The Wall Street Journal reported that Low’s application to Trump seeks a “pardon after completion of sentence”, and that its status is still pending.
In 2024, Low struck a settlement with the US Department of Justice for the return of US$100 million being sought in a civil forfeiture suit.
The 1MDB scandal also led to the conviction and imprisonment of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is likewise seeking a pardon in Malaysia. - Mkini
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