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Starring Jho Lo, wakakaka |
PETALING JAYA: Fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho today cited a recent court filing by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) to support his claim that Putrajaya had been lying when it said the US was involved in and had supported Malaysia’s seizure of the RM1 billion superyacht Equanimity.
Low, better known as Jho Low, said the DoJ’s report to the California federal court showed that the US had planned to bring the yacht to the country, and had spent considerable sums on a crew and fuel for the upkeep of the vessel.
“We are not surprised to see the US DoJ confirm that Dr Mahathir and his attorney-general have been lying all along: Malaysia’s illegal seizure of the Equanimity was without US knowledge or consent, and in violation of both a US court order and a decision of the Indonesian court.
“Today’s court filing by the DoJ directly contradicts the false statements of the corrupt Mahathir regime, which stated without equivocation that the US was involved with, and agreed to, Mahathir’s illegal seizure of this asset,” Low said in a statement issued by his spokesman.
His statement was accompanied by a copy of what is said to be the DoJ’s court filing dated Aug 17.
Jho Low, who is at the centre of investigations in Malaysia and the US over allegations of embezzling billions of dollars from 1MDB, had from the start maintained that the move to seize the Equanimity was illegal and politically motivated.
He also accused Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad of having no interest in the rule of law.
The Equanimity, which has been held at Port Klang since its arrival in Malaysian waters on Aug 7, is believed to have been acquired with funds allegedly plundered from 1MDB.
Indonesian police seized the yacht at the request of the US authorities and handed it over to Malaysia after a recent visit by Mahathir to the country.
Jho Low however said Mahathir had “stolen it (the Equanimity) right out from under them (the US) and flat-out lied about it”.
“In fact, Mahathir said on Aug 11: ‘… they said, if we want to keep it, we are entitled to it because this is ours and bought with stolen Malaysian money, and when we eventually sell the boat, we’re entitled to the proceeds’.”
He also noted that Attorney-General Tommy Thomas had said the seizure took place after “sensitive and delicate negotiations with the US”.
“Based on the DoJ’s filing, these are all lies.”