Rumors of Jho Low Hiding in China: Malaysian Government to Investigate

(Kuala Lumpur, 22nd) Malaysia will investigate rumors that fugitive Jho Low is living a luxurious life while hiding in Shanghai, China.
According to Bernama on Monday (July 21), Prime Minister Anwar said on the 19th that the government has not yet received any information on Jho Low’s whereabouts. He needs to verify information with the Home Ministry regarding claims that Jho Low is hiding in Shanghai using a fake Australian passport.

The Home Ministry did not respond to requests for comment earlier on Monday.
Jho Low is a key fugitive figure in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) corruption case. Tom Wright and Bradley Hope, former journalists for The Wall Street Journal who exposed the 1MDB scandal, uploaded a video on YouTube on July 18, saying that Jho Low is hiding using a forged Australian passport under the Greek name Veis Constantinos Achilles.
They said that evidence gathered from various sources and newly discovered documents indicate Jho Low is currently living in a high-end community in Shanghai, just a 15-minute drive from his office in the Shanghai financial district.
The two also claimed that Jho Low now works as an adviser, helping some sanctioned Chinese companies maintain their global operations.
An Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson stated that the passport office’s investigators and intelligence unit would assess every allegation of forged Australian passports. Using a forged Australian passport carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Jho Low, who has close ties to former Malaysian prime minister Najib, is alleged to be the mastermind behind the 1MDB case, orchestrating a joint venture between 1MDB and Saudi International Petroleum and funneling US$700 million into his own company. He is also accused of misappropriating 1MDB funds to purchase overseas properties and artworks, living a life of luxury.
After the Barisan Nasional coalition lost Malaysia’s 2018 general election, Jho Low fled overseas. There have been repeated reports that he was hiding in China, but the Malaysian government and police have so far been unable to confirm his whereabouts. Interpol has issued a red notice, and he is currently wanted by Malaysia, the United States, Singapore, and 195 other countries.
In 2018, a Malaysian court held its first in absentia trial against Jho Low, charging him with eight counts of money laundering.
Previously, Jho Low, who was said to be hiding in China’s Macau Special Administrative Region, had publicly declared himself innocent.