This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on May 18, 2026 - May 24, 2026
The Wall Street Journal’s report that fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, has applied for a pardon from US President Donald Trump should be a wake-up call for Putrajaya. After years of promises and investigations, Malaysians are still asking a simple question: is the government truly serious about bringing him home?
Low remains at the centre of the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) financial fraud scandal, which severely damaged Malaysia’s reputation and eroded public trust in government institutions. Billions were allegedly misappropriated, yet the man accused of helping orchestrate the scheme remains beyond the reach of the law.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil is right to insist there should be no pardon or clemency for Low. Former finance minister Lim Guan Eng is also justified in urging Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to formally oppose any pardon attempt. Anwar’s response that Low’s application for pardon is a “non-issue” for Malaysia risks sending the wrong signal.
More importantly, Malaysians deserve to know what concrete efforts are still being made to secure his extradition. Claims that there is no active Interpol Red Notice and little visible enforcement action only fuel public suspicion that the pursuit has lost urgency.
This is very much Malaysia’s issue. Even if the final decision rests with the US, Malaysia should clearly and publicly oppose any move that could allow Low to escape accountability.
The government cannot expect Malaysians to simply move on from 1MDB. Bringing Low back is not just about one man. It is about proving that no individual is above the law, no matter how wealthy or well connected.
After all these years, Malaysia must show that it has not forgotten and that it will not stop until Low is brought home to face justice.
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