Ministry: Jho Low represented Saudi royals at 1MDB meet

Businessman Low Taek Jho, popularly known as Jho Low, had attended a 1MDB board of directors meeting, said the Finance Ministry in a written parliamentary reply.

However, it said Low attended on behalf of the Saudi royal family and did not participate in discussions.

The ministry was responding to Tony Pua (DAP-Petaling Jaya Utara), who asked the finance minister if Low attended a 1MDB board meeting in September 2009 over the US$1 billion investment in a joint venture with Petro Saudi International.

"Low attended one 1MDB board meeting.

"This was because the Saudi royal family were invited to make a courtesy call to 1MDB.

"However, the royal family could not attend and asked Low to represent them to extend their courtesy to the 1MDB board of directors," the government said.

"Low left immediately after and did not participate in any discussion, as shown in the meeting minutes," it added.

The reply was given in the final session of the 2015 Dewan Rakyat sitting, which concluded earlier this month.

Pua also asked if Low held any formal role in 1MDB.

The ministry reiterated that Low did not play any advisory role nor was he paid by 1MDB.

It said Low was advisor to 1MDB's predecessor Terengganu Investment Authority (TIA) but resigned in May 2009.

This was before the federal government took over TIA and renamed it 1MDB. -Mkini