SERDANG — The government is now eyeing to bring back a private jet belonging to fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low, currently reported to be in Singapore, said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today.
When asked about reports that Putrajaya is bringing back the jet when met by reporters after visiting an art exhibition ‘Tun M: A Forever Legacy’ at the Perdana University here today, Dr Mahathir said : “Yes, I think so. We have to bring it back.”
According to media reports, the private jet was impounded by Singaporean authorities in 2017 and grounded at the Seletar Airport.
It was also reported that the impounded Bombardier Global 5000 aircraft was part of some US$1 billion in assets allegedly acquired with funds misappropriated from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
Asked on the discussion to bring the private jet back to the country, Dr Mahathir said: “I don’t know somebody else is doing it.”
Dr Mahathir stressed that the government was trying to get back all the money that has been stolen from the country.
“We know who has it but of course we do not know where they are. And the need for us to access the money depends on our proving that it is our money,” he said.
Superyacht Equanimity, widely reported to be linked to Jho Low, had arrived in Malaysia on Aug 7 after being handed over by Indonesian authorities. The superyacht is currently berthed at Port Klang.
Asked to comment on Jho Low’s statement through his spokesman alleging that Malaysia was “putting words into the mouth” of the United States authorities by saying the yacht’s arrival in Malaysia was after negotiations with the Americans, Dr Mahathir said: ” I am very proud that I can put words into the US government.”
“I must be greater than (Donald) Trump. Well you can ask the US authority whether I put the words. I typed out the thing properly and shove it down his throat. But he (Jho Low) should accept that,” he added.
— BERNAMA
