Azmin withdraws appeal against police to find Jho Low

Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali withdrew his appeal yesterday for a judicial review to compel then inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar and the police to arrest Penang-born businessperson Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low.

The appeal was withdrawn at the Court of Appeal.

Azmin's lawyer Latheefa Koya, said a notice of discontinuance had been filed.

"We met the registrar and she confirmed and said it is considered done. There is no need to have the matter before open court," she said.

Latheefa explained that the appeal had been withdrawn as the new government had clearly shown its commitment towards investigating the 1MDB scandal, including the possibility of apprehending Jho Low.

It was reported on Oct 3 last year that the High Court in Kuala Lumpur had dismissed Azmin's judicial review application after refusing to grant leave.

Justice Hanipah Farikullah ruled that no arguable case had been demonstrated to grant leave, and that there was no evidence that  Low had committed an offence in Malaysia.

The court also cited case law stating that an ongoing investigation is not amenable to judicial review.

Azmin, who was present to hear the application that day, had described the proceedings as "unbelievable."

The PKR deputy president filed the application last August for a mandamus court order to compel the police to arrest Low, and produce him before a magistrate to face criminal charges.

In his supporting affidavit, Azmin alleged Low committed several offences including criminal breach of trust and cheating involving 1MDB.

Azmin, who is also Selangor menteri besar, said 1MDB was the beneficial owner of US$3.66 billion, of which US$1.37 billion was meant to be transferred to a company called Aabar Dubai.

However, he added that in 2012, Low and his associates transferred the amount to Aabar BVI (British Virgin Islands), which has nothing to do with Aabar Dubai.

He also claimed that at the time of the transfer, Low obtained the consent of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for the disposal of the monies. - Mkini