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SHAH ALAM – Fugitive financier Jho Low was not among the 11 individuals granted presidential pardons by United States President Donald Trump ahead of the US Independence Day celebrations on July 4, despite recent speculation that he was seeking executive clemency.
The latest round of pardons effectively ends speculation that Low, whose full name is Low Taek Jho, would receive relief from the criminal charges he faces in the United States over the multibillion-dollar 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.
Instead, it was reported that Trump granted clemency to 11 individuals, most of whom had been convicted of offences related to tampering with vehicle emissions systems in violation of the US Clean Air Act.
Among those granted clemency were Adam Kidan, who was convicted of wire fraud and conspiracy linked to a casino acquisition and Jack Harvard, who was convicted of bank fraud.
The remaining recipients were convicted in separate cases involving illegal modifications to diesel vehicle emissions-control systems.
The development comes just days after reports revealed that Low was among about 250 individuals being considered for a presidential pardon after details of a clemency application emerged in US public records.
The reported application led to public discussion, raising concerns about whether a US presidential pardon could influence ongoing efforts to hold the fugitive businessman accountable.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim however, dismissed such concerns, stressing that any decision by the United States regarding a presidential pardon for Low was an internal matter and that Malaysia's position remained unchanged.
Low is accused by both Malaysian and US authorities of playing a central role in the multibillion-dollar 1MDB scandal.
He faces multiple charges in Malaysia, while US prosecutors have accused him of helping launder billions of dollars allegedly misappropriated from the sovereign wealth fund through luxury assets, artworks and high-end real estate.
