Jho Low's mansion: AGC in the dark over missing seizure notice

The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) is in the dark over how a notice of seizure posted last week on a luxurious property belonging to the family of fugitive businessperson Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, in Penang has suddenly gone missing.

It is learnt that the AGC was not responsible for removing the notice, which was clearly posted at the entrance of the mansion in Tanjung Bungah last Friday.

"Why should we take down a notice which we ourselves put up? The matter is still under investigation," said an official from AGC, who requested strict anonymity.

On whether another notice would be posted, the official told Malaysiakini: "We are currently discussing whether to put up another notice or not.

"So far, we have not received any instructions yet."

Deputy Public Prosecutor Syafinas Shabudin and Superintendent Foo Wei Min, whose names were on the notice, declined to comment when contacted.

They were asked regarding a report in New Straits Times today which claimed that the notice of seizure had been removed.

The notice read:

“Whereas I, Syafinas Shabudin being satisfied on the information given to me by Superintendent Foo Wei Min and Deputy Superintendent Albany Hamzah that the immovable property as set out in the Schedule to this notice is the subject matter of an offence under subsection 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (the Act) our evidence of commission of such offence or territory property or the proceeds of an unlawful activity or the instrumentalities of such offence.

“Now pursuant to subsection 51(1A) of the Act, it is hereby ordered that such immovable property be seized by the investigating officer and all dealings in respect of such immovable property are prohibited.

“Take notice that failure to comply with this notice is an offence under the Act.”

Low's rep: 'Blatant politicisation'

After the notice was posted on the mansion, known as "El Nitsjo," last week, Jho Low, through a spokesperson, condemned the public manner in which the notice was posted.

The spokesperson said the Low family property was built and completed around twenty years ago, during Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s previous administration.

"This was more than a decade before 1MDB ever existed and at that time Mr Low was still a teenager," the spokeperson for Low said in an email on March 23.

"This purported seizure of a property unconnected to any of the allegations is a blatant demonstration of Mahathir’s politicisation of the issues... further demonstrating that Mr Low cannot get a fair trial," the statement added.

The property, which has attracted a lot of public interest in Penang, is being seized as part of the ongoing probe into alleged money laundering activities linked to 1MDB.

The notice of seizure was addressed to Jho Low’s mother, Goh Gaik Ewe, who together with her son and husband Larry Low Hock Peng, is on a wanted list.

The whereabouts of the trio is still unknown.

They are being sought to assist in the investigations under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. - Mkini