Macau’s security authority has slammed the MACC for “unilaterally” claiming that fugitive businessperson Low Taek Jho (Jho Low) is hiding in the region.
According to the Office of the Secretary for Security (GSS), it is “shocked and surprised” to hear the Malaysian anti-graft agency’s claim on Low’s whereabouts.
“If the reports are true, the relevant law enforcement agencies of the country in question have chosen not to verify the situation and seek assistance through [proper] channels for international police cooperation or legal assistance for criminal matters.
“Instead, they have unilaterally released unconfirmed information. Such actions completely violate the rules and norms of international police cooperation and legal assistance on criminal matters. Security authorities [we] are deeply shocked and surprised,” said GSS in a statement two days ago.
The agency was responding to a report by Al Jazeera that MACC believes Low is in hiding in Macau.
This was reportedly confirmed by several individuals who have seen Low in Macau, the Doha-based news network said.
Elaborating, GSS stood by its denial in 2020 that Low was hiding Macau.
Back then, Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak denied the claim by then inspector-general of police (IGP) Abdul Hamid Bador that Low was hiding in Macau.
GSS further stressed that the Macau police are legally prohibited from disclosing any information to the public due to the involvement of specific individuals in the case.
“This is a necessary adherence to Macau’s status as an international city and a society governed by the rule of law.
“It is important to emphasise that the Macau police have always strictly followed the law and procedures while engaging in police cooperation with all countries and regions in accordance with relevant international practices.”
Low is the alleged mastermind behind the multi-billion 1MDB scandal and has been charged in absentia in US and Malaysian courts. He is currently at large.
Recently, Bradley Hope, the co-author of a best-selling book on the 1MDB scandal, dismissed the idea that Low is in Macau and said it is believed the latter is under house arrest in Shanghai instead.
“He (Low) was in Macau a lot from 2015-2018, as well as Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Thailand but after (former prime minister) Najib’s (Abdul Razak) electoral defeat, his movements were more restricted to the mainland,” said Hope on Twitter, adding that China is holding Low on a tight leash because of negotiations with Malaysia. - Mkini
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