Were 1MDB-related files seized from Equanimity, asks former senator

Businessperson Jho Low’s yacht, the Equanimity, has an Asian-themed interior, a swimming pool, movie theatre, helicopter landing pad and other luxurious amenities.

However, what’s more important is whether documents, agreements and correspondence related to 1MDB were seized by Indonesian authorities, and if so, what information they contain. 

Was the yacht a secret hiding place for legal documents and correspondence?

Former DAP senator Ramakrishnan Suppiah raised these questions. He added that as the US Department of Justice (DOJ) builds its case against Low and his business partners, they are interested in uncovering documents and correspondence for its civil or criminal case connected to the 1MDB scandal.

In June, the US DOJ filed a civil case seeking the recovery of US$540 million in assets, including the yacht that it says was bought using funds siphoned off from 1MDB.

Overall, the DOJ says more than US$4.5 billion was allegedly stolen from the fund.

“As the DOJ builds its case it now needs more documentary evidence to bring Jho Low to court. In all charges, it’s solid documentary evidence that will justify whether Jho Low and his partners are guilty,” said Ramakrishnan, who is also the deputy chairperson of the Johor DAP committee.

“Jho Low has the audacity to flirt his ill-found wealth all because of the high connection in Malaysia.”

Ramakrishnan, an accounting lecturer by profession, added that according to the DOJ, the yacht was bought by Low, who had no formal role at 1MDB but considerable influence over the organisation, for his personal use.

“It was among the more than US$400 million that the department accuses Low of stealing himself.

"What's shocking is that people connected to 1MDB have not been prosecuted, while overseas, some are serving jail sentences in Singapore, US and Switzerland.”

Multimedia and Communications Minister Salleh Said Keruak previously said that the DOJ had not shown any “tangible proof” that  Low is the owner of the Equanimity.

“Until today, apart from bare allegations contained in the DOJ civil lawsuit, which has been put on hold since August last year, the DOJ has not shown any tangible proof that Low is the actual owner of the yacht or that it was purchased with funds from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

“Furthermore, the DOJ has yet to prove any of its allegations in a court of law, despite nearly two years passing since its sensationalised press conference of July 2016,” said the minister in his blog on Thursday, Mar 1. -Mkini