Low Taek Jho, a fugitive financier from Malaysia, recently public interview in which he denied setting the stage for the entire 1MDB debacle. The debacle in question stole billions of dollars from Malaysian public funds. He claims to have served only as a commercial intermediary. He made the statements in an interview published on Monday.

Wrapped up in a $ 4.5 billion scandal

Low currently faces charges from both Malaysia and the United States over allegations that he was a central figure in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal. This scandal has cost the state of Malaysia $ 4.5 billion while arousing the ire of the US Department of Justice. To date, the Ministry of Justice has never had such a scale of an anti-kleptocracy case, the company itself having been founded by Najib Razik, former Prime Minister of Malaysia.

Low, popularly known as Jho Low, has consistently denied any wrongdoing in this matter. Further, Low claims that the charges against him are in fact politically motivated.

Common practice blamed as suspect

Low explained that both businesses and individuals act as intermediaries regularly and across the world. He Express this opinion in an interview he gave to the Straits Times, a media outlet based in Singapore. He stressed that this situation was not unique in this regard, citing his good relations with foreign policy makers and businessmen as to why his help was requested.

Of course, a spokesperson for Low did not respond to a media request for further comment on the matter. Why this would be the case is not clear.

Government victimization charges

As to why Low has been on the run since this debacle unraveled, and continues to do so to this day, he cited the Malaysian government’s victimization of Low and his family. He explained that the Malaysian government ignored “basic human rights” as well as “fair court proceedings” by declaring it the mastermind behind the whole debacle.

The Malaysian prime minister’s office also did not give an immediate response to these statements.

Low claimed he had played a role in Malaysia’s close ties with key allies, citing his “professional connections” as a help. In particular, he cites Saudi Arabia’s relations, having increased the Haj’s pilgrimage quotas for Malaysian Muslims. He further cited investments in real estate, finance as well as other sectors within the Southeast Asian country, allegedly brought by his hand.

Low declined to give his current location, further explaining that a country offered him asylum in August 2019. It should be noted that Low refused to disclose which country gave him refuge.