Former SRC head Nik Faisal hiding in Hong Kong, says IGP

KUALA LUMPUR: Former SRC International Sdn Bhd managing director and CEO Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil (pic) is hiding in Hong Kong, says Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador.

The IGP said police obtained information that Nik Faisal and his family members were indeed in Hong Kong.

“We have since asked for the assistance of the Hong Kong authorities to apprehend him, as an Interpol Red Notice has been issued against him.

“It is the responsibility of the authorities in any country to apprehend a suspect with an Interpol Red Notice.

“In fact, we have passed details (on Nik Faisal) to our Hong Kong counterparts, but their initial response was negative.

“These are some of the constraints we are facing. As the police, we respect the pursuit of justice in law enforcement, thus if there is any request from other countries for our cooperation, we will assist, ” he told a press conference in Bukit Aman on Friday (July 10).

Hamid said that the relationship between Malaysian and Hong Kong police used to be very good, to the extent of having annual rugby competitions.

“A few years ago, we used to be very close. We managed to solve various cases involving the two countries during that time.

“However, it is not the same now, ” he said.

The IGP said the hunt for Nik Faisal and several others, including fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, has not ended.

“I have never given up efforts to track him down, along with his accomplices.

“Jho Low is considered the most wanted man on our radar and I don't intend to slow down in my pursuit of him.

“However, as I have mentioned, the police are running into certain obstacles despite knowing where they are," he said.

Those wanted by police in connection with the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal have been detected moving around several countries, and including Thailand, Macau and Hong Kong.

"I cannot speculate why they are concentrated in those areas," said Hamid.

The country's top cop said police also obtained intelligence that the stolen 1MDB money was being invested in real estate development in Cyprus.

Jho Low, Nik Faisal, Eric Tan Kim Loong, Casey Tang, Jasmine Loo Ai Swan and Geh Choh Heng are wanted by the authorities since 2015. - Star