Singapore still pursuing Jho Low over 1MDB case; US Justice Department settlement 'no bearing' on probe
About S$164 million of 1MDB-related assets in Singapore remain seized or prohibited from disposal and this includes S$101 million linked to Jho Low and his family, the police said.
This audio is generated by an AI tool.
SINGAPORE: An Interpol red notice was issued against Malaysian fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, who is better known as Jho Low, in 2016 and it "remains in effect", the Singapore Police Force said on Tuesday (Jul 16).
Responding to media queries, the police said that a settlement agreement between the United States Department of Justice (US DOJ) and Low and his family "has no bearing" on criminal investigations against Low and his associates".
CNA first reported on the US DOJ settlement in late June. It would involve surrendering assets previously identified by the authorities, as well as those not previously claimed or captured by prosecuting agencies worldwide, under a fresh settlement plan.
The global settlement agreement would "forever (resolve) US’ civil, criminal and administrative asset forfeiture actions or proceeding relating to the disposition" of assets tied to 1MDB, according to documents reviewed by CNA.
"About S$164 million of 1MDB-related assets in Singapore remain seized or prohibited from disposal," the police said, adding that this includes S$101 million linked to Low and his family.
They added that Singapore authorities had obtained court orders to release about S$103 million of the seized 1MDB-related monies to the Malaysian government.
What is an Interpol red notice?
According to Interpol, red notices are issued for fugitives wanted either for prosecution or to serve a sentence.
It is a request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person, pending extradition, surrender or similar legal action.
Red notices are published by Interpol at the request of a member country and must comply with Interpol’s constitution and rules. A red notice is not an international arrest warrant, said Interpol.
Each member country decides what legal value it gives to a red notice and the authority of law enforcement officers to make the arrests.
"The police, together with the Attorney-General’s Chambers, are working with our foreign counterparts to return these assets to Malaysia in accordance with the terms of the settlement agreement between Low and his family members and the US DOJ, and with our laws."
At Singapore's request, Low was issued the Interpol red notice in 2016, alongside his close business associate Tan Kim Loong.
In a 2018 joint statement with their Malaysian counterparts, Singapore authorities then said Low and Tan "are suspected to have committed offences in Singapore and cannot be located here". Malaysian authorities have also issued an arrest warrant for Low, who remains at large.
