Zahid: Jho Low is still a Malaysian citizen

PARLIAMENT 1MDB-linked business tycoon Low Taek Jho is still a Malaysian, Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

Zahid said based on a check by the ministry, the businessman, better known as Jho Low, still holds a valid Malaysian passport.

"The Home Ministry has not received any complaint or report of him having dual citizenship, nor has he made any request to surrender his Malaysian citizenship," Zahid said in a written reply to Parliament yesterday.

Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister, was responding to a question from Wong Chen (PKR-Kelana Jaya) on whether or not Jho Low holds a United States passport.

Sarawak Report made claims last year that Jho Low is now a US citizen and holds a US passport.

The Penang-born tycoon is currently based in Hong Kong.

He has denied any involvement in 1MDB, saying his only link to the sovereign wealth fund was that he helped set up its predecessor, the Terengganu Investment Authority (TIA).

1MDB has also denied hiring or paying Jho Low.

However, The Wall Street Journal and Sarawak Report claim that Jho Low had taken part in 1MDB's joint venture with PetroSaudi International.

They claim that monies meant for the joing venture had been siphoned by companies under his control. --Mkini