Ramkarpal slams ex-AG for not demanding Jho Low’s surrender

 

Ramkarpal also questioned if Apandi Ali was paid for his services in arranging the meeting between Jho Low’s lawyers and the attorney-general.

PETALING JAYA: Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh has slammed former attorney-general (AG) Apandi Ali for assisting Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low, in setting up meetings with the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to settle the case against the fugitive businessman.

Ramkarpal said Apandi Ali should have instead demanded for the surrender of the Penang-born businessman who is wanted in connection with the 1MDB corruption scandal.

“As Apandi was the AG at the height of the 1MDB scandal and had cleared former prime minister Najib Razak of any wrongdoing in relation to the case, he should not have engaged with Jho Low’s representatives but instead, demanded his surrender,” he said in a statement.

He added that any attempt to settle Jho Low’s criminal cases in exchange for a sum of money may be a form of corruption and Apandi must disclose if Jho Low’s representatives had informed him that this was the intention.

The DAP MP said Apandi should also confirm if Jho Low’s US-based lawyers, Kobre & Kim, had asked for all criminal charges against the businessman to be dropped in their meeting with the AGC.

Ramkarpal then questioned Apandi if he was paid by Jho Low’s lawyers for helping to arrange the meeting.

“If he was paid, then was such payment made from the 1MDB funds allegedly siphoned by the businessman.

“Apandi should clear the air without any delay to avoid unnecessary speculation that may arise from such negotiations.”

Yesterday, Apandi confirmed that he had been contacted by Jho Low’s lawyers to arrange meetings with the AGC, which were held in May.

He said the meetings were to discuss the repatriation of monies allegedly siphoned by Jho Low from 1MDB. However, he said the negotiations fell through for reasons unknown to him.

Meanwhile, DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng has called for AG Idrus Harun to explain why his office was willing to meet with Jho Low’s representatives.

“Is Idrus not sending the wrong message that Malaysia’s top law officer is willing to deal with crooks and fugitives instead of steadfastly upholding the law without fear or favour?” he asked, in a statement.

Lim also said that any deal with Jho Low to settle his case with the payment of any sum of money is not only “immoral, unethical but legally wrong”, adding that all of Jho Low’s assets amounting to billions of ringgit are liable to be confiscated upon being charged and convicted. - FMT