RM48 MILLION SEIZED FROM JHO LOW’S FATHER – WHO WILL COME FORWARD TO CONTEST THE FORFEITURE? COURT FIXES JULY 19 HEARING DATE

THE Kuala Lumpur High Court today set July 19 to hear third parties who wish to contest the forfeiture of RM48 million seized from seven bank accounts belonging to Larry Low Hock Peng, the father of fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low.

Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan fixed the date to hear the applicants on why the money should not be forfeited by the government. 

Zaini also agreed to the prosecution’s request to gazette a notice inviting third parties to appear to contest the forfeiture action prior to the hearing.

“There is a need for a notice to be gazetted so that any conflicting claims could be made known to the court before the court considers the forfeiture of the assets,” the judge said.

The money in Low senior’s accounts was confiscated on suspicion of a connection to the defrauding of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB). 

Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Aaron Abilash Paul Chelliah told the court the authorities did not know the respondent Larry’s whereabouts. Investigating officer Supt Foo Wei Min has affirmed in an affidavit that he is not in Malaysia.

“The police have also filed charges against him and a warrant of arrest has been issued. We have sought assistance from Interpol to find him but so far it has been unsuccessful.

“Hence, we apply to the court to dispense the service of the cause papers,” he said.

Zaini granted the application.

The government on March 29 filed a civil forfeiture action to freeze seven bank accounts belonging to Larry with the intention to forfeit the money they contained, which it alleged was the proceeds of money laundering activities.

The notice of seizure dated January 17, 2019, which was addressed to Jho Low’s mother, Goh Gaik Ewe, 66, was issued under subsection 51(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

– Bernama