KUALA LUMPUR (July 13): Inspector General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said that if Low Taek Jho’s (Jho Low) associate and former 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) general counsel Jasmine Loo can be brought back to Malaysia, it's only a matter of time before the rogue financier himself is hauled up, as all suspects are on the police's radar.
“If we can bring Jasmine Loo back, we can bring Jho Low back at any time,” he said at a press conference in Bukit Aman here on Thursday (July 13).
The IGP also confirmed that Loo is still being remanded, and said the police had never stopped their investigations into Jho Low and his associates.
However, the newly minted IGP remained mum on the details of Loo’s arrest, but did allude to the fact that she surrendered to the police, accompanied by her lawyers.
“She came here and surrendered with her lawyer, and we remanded her,” he said.
Razarudin said that he could not provide the details of her arrest when pushed by the media, because it may put her in danger.
“I can’t answer that. Because we are wary, if she’s a suspect or witness. It may be dangerous for her. We know what we are doing,” he said.
When asked about Jho Low’s whereabouts and whether he is in Macau as previously stated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in May, the IGP reiterated that he and his other associates are on the police's radar.
“I never told you where Jasmine Loo was. I’m not going to tell you where Jho Low is. I can’t tell you. If I say, he may run away. We have our own tactics,” he said.
“Actually, the police have never stopped the investigations [into these suspects], and all suspects are on our radar,” he repeated.
Jho Low is facing a slew of criminal and civil charges in Malaysia for his role in siphoning off billions in 1MDB funds.
Razarudin further added that Loo will be investigated under Section 409 of the Penal Code, and assured that the police will cooperate with agencies such as the MACC and the Securities Commission Malaysia, which may need her as a witness or an accused person.
Loo, who is thought of as one of Jho Low's associates, was among those who had left the country since 2018 and was wanted by the authorities.
Her name cropped up during Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s SRC International Sdn Bhd trial, which concluded with the former prime minister's conviction, and the ongoing 1MDB-Tanore criminal trial.
The government had also pursued forfeiture proceedings against Loo, whereby her Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI and a Volkswagen New Beetle 1.6(A) and cash amounting to RM22,600 were forfeited by the High Court in January this year. Meanwhile, her condo in Mukim Batu was handed to OCBC Bank.
She is also one of the defendants in the US$8 billion suit filed by 1MDB against her, Najib and former 1MDB officers.
A few months back, Jho Low's other associate Kee Kok Thiam also surrendered to the authorities. However, Kee, 56, died a few weeks later in May at the Sungai Buloh Hospital due to a massive stroke.
Najib was found guilty of all seven charges in relation to SRC, and has been serving his 12-year jail term since Aug 23 last year. He was also fined RM210 million.