Fugitive Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, widely known as Jho Low, is reportedly seeking a pardon from US President Donald Trump over US criminal charges tied to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal. Multiple outlets, citing reporting including the Wall Street Journal, say the pardon request was filed in recent weeks and directed to the US Justice Department. Several reports add that Low is accused in the United States of playing a key role in a scheme that siphoned at least US$4.5 billion from Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund, 1MDB, and also faces related allegations including corruption and money laundering.
If granted, the pardon would remove the US criminal charges against him, according to reporting summarized by outlets. Analysts quoted by some sources say the request is unlikely to succeed, noting that Low has not appeared in US court or accepted responsibility, and that a US pardon would not affect cases or charges he faces in other jurisdictions.
Malaysia’s response is described as not opposing the bid. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said it is a “non-issue” and that Malaysia will not consider any pardon involving Jho Low, according to reports citing Bernama.
