Daim: ‘Moles’ in govt helping Jho Low evade arrest

PETALING JAYA: Fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, continues to evade arrest due to the existence of moles within the Malaysian government, says Tun Daim Zainuddin.

In an interview with Singapore’s Channel News Asia (CNA), the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) chairman said that there were “moles within the civil service and enforcement agencies” who are still feeding information to the previous administration.

Daim said that Low had contacted him to request for immunity from the Malaysian government and offered to cooperate in finding assets connected to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

However, Daim said he had rejected Low's request.

.“I told him ‘no’. If he wants to help, better come back first so that we can discuss. He claimed he is innocent, so if you are innocent you come back here. Why you are running away?” CNA quoted Daim as saying.

Daim also said that he does not know what Low's motive was.

“I said why don’t you come back and discuss with me first. He said he can help us get back the assets and give us one or two names (of the people involved).

“I said (to ask) them to come see me,” he added.

On Sept 6, Daim said that Low had attempted to contact him several times to help resolves issues related to the 1MDB scandal.

Back then, Daim said that he had turned down Low and had told the fugitive businessman to speak to his representative instead.

The CNA report also said that Daim believed that Low “did not act alone” in the plundering of millions from 1MDB and fooling the world banking system.

“He has good advisors. He paid them,” Daim said.

He added that the bankers who were working with Low were “paid handsomely to execute and cover” Low's tracks.

Daim had also said that Low was the mastermind behind the 1MDB scandal, adding that he was involved in the links between the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, the United States, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Switzerland.

Low is currently wanted in Malaysia and Singapore, as well as other countries, over investigations into 1MDB.

Malaysia has applied for an Interpol “red notice” to seek assistance from countries such as the UAE, Indonesia, India, Myanmar, China and Hong Kong, and Taiwan via diplomatic channels, to arrest Low.-Star