Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has dismissed fugitive financier Jho Low’s claim that he had "put words into the mouth" of US Department of Justice (DOJ) over the seizure of superyacht Equanimity.
“I am very proud that I can put words into the (mouth of the) US government.
“I must be greater than (Donald) Trump,” Mahathir said sarcastically, in reference to the outspoken American president.
He was speaking to reporters after attending the ‘Tun M: A Forever Legacy’ art exhibition at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park, Serdang today.
He quipped that Low should ask the US authorities himself whether Mahathir had typed out the words and “shoved it down their (DOJ's) throats”.
Earlier today, Low, through a spokesperson, had accused Mahathir of “putting words into the mouth” of the DOJ about US’ purported involvement in the transfer of the US$250 million yacht from Indonesia to Malaysia.
Low, through his spokesperson, also accused Mahathir of “hijacking” the legal proceedings of other countries in order to acquire the 1MDB-linked Equanimity, believed to belong to Low through a series of intermediaries.
He also once again insisted that the seizure of the yacht was illegal.
Mahathir had yesterday said both the US and Indonesia had cooperated with Malaysia to return the ship to Malaysian waters.
The Equanimity had been the subject of a custody battle between the DOJ and Indonesia after the former had filed a civil forfeiture suit on the US$250 million vessel last year.
The DOJ claimed that the luxury yacht was bought using the proceeds of misappropriated 1MDB funds laundered through the US financial system, and that Low owns the vessel through a series of intermediaries including Equanimity Ltd.
Indonesia announced last week that the ship would be surrendered to Malaysia. It arrived in Port Klang on Tuesday where it remains docked. -Mkini
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