Justice will not be served until those who are not affected are as outraged as those who are.”
- Benjamin Franklin
After spending five years on the run as a fugitive and continuing to enjoy some of the many benefits of being in the coterie of trusted lieutenants of Low Taek Jho (better known as Jho Low), Jasmine Loo returned to Malaysia last week.
According to Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, she was “arrested in Kuala Lumpur” last Friday and taken to the Dang Wangi district police headquarters. Police acquired a remand order against her on Saturday.
Investigations, he said, are being conducted under Section 409 of the Penal Code, and the police must investigate several areas.
Saifuddin declined to elaborate further about the circumstances surrounding Loo's arrest apart from stressing that she was arrested.
But his short briefing to the media on July 12, what little was provided has prompted a bunch of questions with few answers forthcoming.
Yesterday, Loo through her lawyers issued a statement that impels more questions, especially claiming that she wants to assist authorities to expedite asset recovery efforts related to the scandal.
Read together, they provide a rosy picture of the situation as if it was scripted to mislead ordinary Malaysians into the belief that the saviour has arrived to recoup the losses incurred - not to face charges.
Malaysians have a right to ask tough questions instead of being compelled to rely on terse statements which make little sense, coming from someone who had at one time or the other, had neither regard nor respect for the legal system.
Chief among them begs the question: Was she arrested or did she surrender or was her return facilitated? How did she end up in Kuala Lumpur?
Loo could not have got past immigration at any international airport because a red notice was issued by Interpol and hence would have been arrested.
But then, her Malaysian passport would have expired and unless she travelled under an assumed name and a passport from a different country, she would not have gone far.
It is surprising that she was not detained at the KLIA or any of the other entry points into the country. Are we to believe she returned, went home for a hot shower and turned up unannounced to be arrested and taken to the Dang Wangi police station?
If the talk about expediting recovery is an attempt to make a bargain or a barter, then it falls flat. If she has returned to face the charges, then there is no belated need for glowing words on the justice system she has avoided for so long.
After having dodged the authorities for so long, leading a life of luxury in between, why has she decided to give up gallivanting the world in private jets and hob-knobbing with the rich and famous?
Wanted in the US
On Dec 17, 2018, charges were filed against Tim Leissner and Roger Ng of Goldman Sachs, along with Loo and Low.
The charges were brought against them for "perpetrating a scheme to defraud the government of Malaysia and purchasers of three bonds with a face value of US$6.5 billion (RM29.8 billion) which were underwritten and arranged by Goldman Sachs, and issued by subsidiaries of 1MDB, by way of the commission and abetment of false or misleading statements to dishonestly misappropriate billions from the bond proceeds."
(A warrant for Loo’s arrest was issued after she and several others associated with the 1MDB scandal failed to appear in court to face charges.)
Wasn’t she part of the mob that helped steal billions of Malaysian taxpayers’ money? Didn’t she steadfastly avoid returning to Malaysia for so long?
Wasn’t she 1MDB's legal counsel and later former executive director of group strategy - and was alleged to be in Low's inner circle that has made the present and next generation pay for their follies?
She is wanted in the US too. According to the US Department of Justice, Loo received US$5 million (RM23.2 million) from the Aabar-BVI phase of the 1MDB scandal, and US$10 million (RM46.5 million) during the Tanore phase.
Now, she says she will reveal the facts and circumstances surrounding her years away from Malaysia, but what purposes does it serve? Giving us a list of your escapades and sojourns at champagne parties dotted around the globe will not be helpful.
Loo requested privacy and space "to do what is necessary" but did she give the time of the day to the many people who worked tirelessly to retrieve and bring to book the perpetrators of what has been described as the “heist of the century”?
No apologies, no remorse but a great attempt “get out of jail” card.
No. Loo does not need space or time. She must be treated as a fugitive who has been arrested and remain in the slammer until her case comes up.
It will be a mockery if she demands and gets to stay in a safe house with all the perks, while claiming to reach out as if with a magic wand in her bag to suddenly make the billions reappear. - Mkini
R NADESWARAN is a veteran journalist who writes on bread-and-butter issues. Comments: citizen.nades22@gmail.com
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.
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