Investigators had lead on Jho Low in Hong Kong, court told

The Kuala Lumpur High Court today heard that investigators had a lead on the location of fugitive businessperson Low Taek Jho (above), a key figure in the 1MDB and SRC International scandals, but his arrest never materialised.

Taking the stand as the 57th witness in former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak's SRC International graft trial, MACC investigating officer Rosli Hussain said Bukit Aman's Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB) had written to their counterpart in Hong Kong with information.

He said this when acknowledging an email from Bukit Aman NCB to Hong Kong NCB put to him by deputy public prosecutor Ishak Mohd Yusoff during witness examination.

The email had requested for Hong Kong authorities to arrest Low and his associate Eric Tan Kim Loong, who were believed to be at Maggie & Rose Family Members Club at Repulse Bay, Hong Kong.

However, Rosli (below) said Hong Kong authorities never arrested Low.

Rosli's testimony also gave a glimpse into where the MACC believes other key fugitives in the case are hiding.

Apart from Low and his stand-in Tan, other figures are former SRC International chief executive director Nik Faisal Ariff Kamal (above) and Kee Kok Thiam, who the court has heard, were put in charge by Low and Nik Faisal to deposit cash into Najib's bank accounts.

Other figures include Terence Geh Cho Heng, Jasmine Loo Ai Swan and Casey Tang Keng Chee.

Rosli confirmed that the MACC had sought in June last year Bukit Aman NCB's help to write to several countries to seek information about the fugitives' whereabouts.

The countries the NCB had written to include China and its two special administrative regions Macau and Hongkong, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar and India.

Rosli testified that the Immigration Department, at MACC's request, had revoked Jho Low and Nik Faisal's passports on June 14 and July 25 last year respectively.

He also acknowledged speculation that Low had a second passport from Saint Kitts and Nevis, but could not confirm the matter.

"My side has not received any response to date," he said.

He said Low left the country through Subang airport on May 29, 2015, while Nik Faisal left through Kuala Lumpur International Airport on May 7 last year, two days before the 14th general election that saw the eventual fall of Najib's government.

Rosli added the last time the MACC saw Low was on Nov 27, 2015 when it recorded his statement in Abu Dhabi, while Nik Faisal's statement was recorded on October 2015, in Jakarta.

The former premier is standing trial on seven charges of abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving RM42 million from SRC International, a former 1MDB subsidiary.

He is accused of receiving the sum as kickbacks for approving RM4 billion in loans to SRC International from the Retirement Fund Inc (KWAP).

Najib has denied wrongdoing or using public funds for personal gain. - Mkini