Umno chiefs want Jho Low to face PAC
The Penang businessman has implied in an interview with Euromoney that he’s ready to talk and defend himself.
(Free Malaysia Today) – Umno divisional chiefs want Penang businessman Jho Low, 33, to return home from abroad and explain his involvement in the company which chalked up a RM42 billion debt within five years. They are stung by his claim that Umno spin masters are behind implicating him in the 1MDB Scandal.
They want him to face the bipartisan parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC). “Then, we can see whether he’s involved or otherwise.”
1Malaysia Development Berhad, wholly owned by the Ministry of Finance, has been touted as a strategic investment arm. Jho Low had claimed that he was only involved with the Terengganu Investment Authority (TIA) which subsequently became 1MDB.
“Come home and explain,” said Tanjung Malim division chief Mohd Khusairi Abdul Talib in Utusan Malaysia on Thursday.
Similar statements have been made by Kepala Batas MP Reezal Merican Naina Merican, Umno Youth exco Ibdillah Ishak and Pengerang division chief Azalina Othman. “We dare him,” said Azalina. “He has to be responsible for his statements in the media.”
Other Umno divisional chiefs feel that Jho Low is complicating the situation. “He’s not helping to solve the problem,” said Rasah Umno division chief Hasim Rusdi.
Temerloh division chief Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin said in Utusan Malaysia that it was inappropriate to link 1MDB to Umno. “He should explain why he mentioned Umno. Members are unhappy.”
Jho Low, cast as “the mysterious Chinaman” in a modern-day thriller called 1MDB, has had enough of being made the scapegoat for the billions piled up in debts by the Ministry of Finance-owned strategic investment arm. Jho Low, the finger-pointing in Malaysia goes, is the “villain” who has been advising Prime Minister and Finance Minister Najib Abdul Razak from the shadows.
He’s ready to talk, he has implied in an interview with Euromoney, at his Jynwel Capital in a high-rise lair in downtown Central Hong Kong. He’s ready to point the finger of blame at others. He wants to publicly defend himself.
