16-7-2024 (SINGAPORE) The Singapore Police Force has confirmed that the Interpol red notice issued for Malaysian fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, commonly known as Jho Low, remains in full effect despite recent developments in the United States. This announcement comes in response to media queries following reports of a settlement agreement between Low and the US Department of Justice (DOJ).
Low, a central figure in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal, has been the subject of international manhunts and investigations for years. The Interpol red notice, which functions as a request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest the individual pending extradition, was issued at Singapore’s request in 2016 and continues to be active.
Singapore authorities have emphasised that the US DOJ settlement “has no bearing on criminal investigations against Low and his associates”. This statement underscores the ongoing nature of the legal proceedings against Low, irrespective of any civil agreements reached in other jurisdictions.
The settlement in question involves the surrender of assets previously identified by authorities, as well as those not previously claimed or captured by prosecuting agencies worldwide. This global settlement agreement would “forever resolve US’ civil, criminal and administrative asset forfeiture actions or proceeding relating to the disposition” of assets tied to 1MDB.
In Singapore, approximately S$164 million of 1MDB-related assets remain seized or prohibited from disposal, with S$101 million of this sum linked directly to Low and his family. The Singapore Police Force also revealed that court orders have been obtained to release about S$103 million of the seized 1MDB-related monies to the Malaysian government.
The police statement added, “The police, together with the Attorney-General’s Chambers, are working with our foreign counterparts to return these assets to Malaysia in accordance with the terms of the settlement agreement between Low and his family members and the US DOJ, and with our laws.”
It’s worth noting that the Interpol red notice was not solely issued for Low but also for his close business associate, Tan Kim Loong. In a 2018 joint statement with Malaysian authorities, Singapore officials stated that both Low and Tan “are suspected to have committed offences in Singapore and cannot be located here”.
The ongoing international efforts to locate and apprehend Jho Low highlight the complex nature of cross-border financial crimes and the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in bringing high-profile fugitives to justice.
