IPOH, May 16 — Malaysia will not focus on or consider any issue related to pardoning fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said any pardon application involving Jho Low should not even arise, given the seriousness of the alleged crimes linked to the businessman, which resulted in massive losses to the country.

“However, there was confusion yesterday regarding the Jho Low issue. When I said it did not arise, it did not mean there was no issue. What I meant was that I would not consider it at all if he were to apply for a pardon.

“He is involved in fraud and crimes that caused billions in losses to the country. I will not seek a pardon for him,” he said when met after attending an engagement session and the presentation of Letters of Acceptance (SST) to Bumiputera subcontractors at the Perak State Education Complex here today.

Anwar said several media reports yesterday had created confusion over Malaysia’s position on the matter.

“When I say it will not be considered, some media outlets reported otherwise. What I meant was that it is not an issue for us to focus on or consider,” he explained.

Last Tuesday, foreign media reported that Jho Low, who is accused by the US authorities of being the mastermind behind one of the largest financial frauds in history, is believed to have submitted a pardon application to President Donald Trump a few weeks ago.

According to the report, if the application is approved, the criminal charges in the US against Jho Low will be dropped.

The same report also stated that the US Department of Justice website listed an application in the name of Taek Jho Low as “pending” for “Pardon after Completion of Sentence”.

The businessman was charged in 2018 for embezzling about USD4.5 billion (RM17.7 billion) from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) funds, but is still at large and wanted by authorities. — Bernama

SEREMBAN, May 15 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia will not consider any pardon application involving fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low.

He said the matter was a non-issue for the Malaysian Government as court proceedings involving the individual were still ongoing.

“It’s a non-issue. We are not going to consider that. No,” he told reporters after officiating the 2026 National Youth Day (HBN) celebration here today.

Asked whether the government would formally oppose any move by the United States (US) regarding the matter, Anwar said: “As far as we are concerned, we are not going that route...but of course, what the US decides is their own business.”

The Prime Minister also said that he was unaware of any pardon application submitted by Jho Low.

“We have made it very clear, it’s a non-issue. Even if he has submitted an application (for pardon), it’s not an issue that we should discuss because he is still undergoing this process in court,” he said.

Two days ago, foreign media reported that Jho Low, who has been accused by the US of masterminding one of the largest financial frauds in history, had allegedly filed a pardon application to US President Donald Trump several weeks ago.

According to the report, approval of the application would result in the US criminal charges against Jho Low being dropped.

The report also stated that the US Department of Justice website listed an application filed under the name Taek Jho Low this year as “pending” for a “Pardon after Completion of Sentence”.

The businessman was charged in 2018 with misappropriating about US$4.5 billion (RM17.7 billion) from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) funds, but remains at large and wanted by authorities. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 — Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has echoed the view of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) Task Force chairman Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani that fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, should not be pardoned following reports that he is seeking clemency from the United States authorities.

Fahmi, who is also the MADANI Government spokesperson, said Jho Low should return to Malaysia to face trial over the 1MDB financial scandal.

“Jho Low should not be given any consideration for pardon because the damage and hardship he brought upon the country are far too great.

“He must return and be brought before the courts in Malaysia to face justice. That is what should happen,” he told reporters after the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) Excellence Awards ceremony and Lembah Pantai Teachers’ Day Celebration 2026 here today.

Fahmi said the government had yet to discuss the matter as the news surfaced while the Cabinet meeting was still in session yesterday.

Yesterday, foreign media reported that Jho Low, who has been accused by the United States of masterminding one of the largest financial frauds in history, had allegedly filed a pardon application to US President Donald Trump several weeks ago.

According to the report, approval of the application would result in the US criminal charges against Jho Low being dropped.

The report also stated that the US Department of Justice website listed an application filed under the name Taek Jho Low this year as “pending” for a “Pardon after Completion of Sentence”.

The businessman was charged in 2018 with misappropriating about USD4.5 billion (RM17.7 billion) from 1MDB funds, but remains at large and wanted by authorities.

Meanwhile, Fahmi said a retreat involving cross-ministerial integrated action and cooperation to combat online crimes would be held on May 23 and 24.

“We found that beyond the legal aspects, closer coordination and stronger cooperation between agencies and departments are extremely important.

“Many scam-related crimes depend on timing, and if we can block the outflow of funds within half an hour or one hour, and then move to arrest those attempting to withdraw the money, we will be able to combat scam activities more effectively,” he said.

Earlier, Fahmi, who is also Lembah Pantai MP, presented contributions to 30 outstanding SPM students and announced RM3,000 contributions for each school in the constituency in conjunction with Teachers’ Day celebrations on Saturday. — Bernama

A US jury convicted a man on Wednesday for his role in running a clandestine Chinese “police station” in New York as part of a campaign to monitor US-based dissidents.

“Harry” Lu Jianwang, 64, faces up to 30 years in prison for acting as an illegal agent of the Chinese government in setting up and running the “overseas police station” in Manhattan’s Chinatown, the Justice Department said in a statement.

Lu and another man, Chen Jinping, were arrested in April 2023 and accused of operating the secret police station, which operated from an office building, on behalf of China’s Ministry of Public Security.

Canada and several European governments have cracked down on similar “police stations,” whose existence was first revealed by Spain-based rights group Safeguard Defenders.

They often operate with little or no indication they are there, though US officials said the Manhattan office had been visited by officials from the Chinese consulate in New York.

According to Safeguard Defenders, the stations have been involved in pressuring nationals to return home to face criminal charges.

“Lu Jianwang used a police station in New York City to target PRC (People’s Republic of China) dissidents in furtherance of the Chinese government’s political agenda,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle Jr.

FBI agents first searched the outpost in October 2022 and found a blue banner reading “Fuzhou Police Overseas Service Station, New York, USA,” referring to a city in southeastern China.

“The New York police station was part of a global initiative by the MPS (Ministry of Public Security) to establish overseas police service stations all over the world,” the Justice Department said.

“Lu was tasked by his MPS handler with collecting information on behalf of the Chinese government, such as locating a pro-democracy advocate who had fled from China and moved to the US,” it added.

Beijing said in December last year that there was no “so-called police station.”

“China is a country governed by the rule of law and has always strictly abided by international law and respected all countries’ judicial sovereignty,” said foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian when asked about the case at a regular news conference.

Lu’s co-defendant Chen Jinping is awaiting sentencing.