Government advisor Daim Zainuddin is not convinced with the speculation that China is using fugitive businessperson Jho Low as a bargaining chip to revive the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project.
“I don’t think so,” he said when quizzed on this.
“I cannot respond to speculation, it is very difficult,” he added at the sidelines of an event in Putrajaya this morning.
The Penang-born Jho Low, who is described to be the mastermind of the 1MDB scandal, has been eluding Malaysian authorities for months.
Previously, Jho Low and his father were charged in absentia over money allegedly stolen from 1MDB.
Meanwhile, Daim said Malaysia is seeking a resolution with China on the ERCL project as soon as possible.
“The negotiation is still going on, we hope we can finalise this as soon as possible,” he added.
In July last year, the Pakatan Harapan government had suspended the RM81 billion project, which was approved by the previous BN administration.
Both countries are now in talks to revive the project.
Daim had reportedly said a Chinese delegation met him in Malaysia two months ago for the ECRL talks.
ECRL still on table, says Daim who zips lips on Jho Low as ‘bargaining chip’
KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia is still in talks with China over the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, government adviser Tun Daim Zainuddin said today.
The former finance minister was specially appointed by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to meet Chinese premier Li Keqiang and other Chinese officials in Beijing last July.
“Negotiations are still going on ECRL.
“We hope to finalise this as soon as possible,” Daim told a press conference here after the Defence Ministry’s inaugural Perwira dialogue here.
The Pakatan Harapan (PH) government suspended the China-backed rail project that connects the Klang Valley to the peninsular east coast over concerns it was overpriced.
Daim was also asked if Penang-born Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low who is wanted here in connection with the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) financial scandal, was used as a bargaining chip.
“I can’t respond to speculation,” he replied.
Daim, a close aide of Dr Mahathir, also said he offers his views only “when my advice is sought” when asked if he was still advising the prime minister.
Daim previously headed the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP), a group of leaders that advised the fledgling PH administration.
The quasi-official CEP announced last August that it had completed its work, but its recommendations to the government have yet to be made public.
– Malay Mail
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