Malaysia Will Not Consider Any Pardon For Jho Low, Anwar Says As US Clemency Bid Sparks 1MDB Debate

KUALA LUMPUR,MAY,2026: Malaysia will not consider granting any form of pardon to fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, despite reports that he has sought clemency from United States President Donald Trump.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the issue does not arise for Malaysia because legal proceedings involving Jho Low are still ongoing. He stressed that Putrajaya would not take the same route if the matter were raised in Malaysia.

Speaking to reporters after officiating the national-level Hari Belia Negara 2026 celebration in Seremban, Anwar said Malaysia would not be bound by any position taken by the United States over the reported pardon request. According to Bernama, he said any decision by Washington would be the United States’ own matter, while Malaysia’s position remains separate.

The Prime Minister also said he had not been informed of any formal pardon application submitted by Jho Low. However, he maintained that even if such an application exists, it is not an issue that Malaysia needs to deliberate because Jho Low remains subject to legal processes.

The statement comes after foreign media reported that Jho Low had allegedly submitted a request for a presidential pardon in the United States. Reuters reported that the request, if approved, could remove US criminal charges against him, while the US Department of Justice website listed a pending request under the name Taek Jho Low.

Jho Low has long been identified as a central figure in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal. US and Malaysian authorities have accused him of playing a key role in the alleged misappropriation of billions of dollars from the state investment fund, though he has consistently denied wrongdoing and remains at large.

According to Bernama, Jho Low was charged in 2018 over allegations linked to the diversion of about US$4.5 billion from 1MDB funds. The businessman has remained outside Malaysia and continues to be sought by authorities.

Anwar’s latest remarks appear to draw a clear line between Malaysia’s legal position and the internal decision-making process of the United States. While Malaysia will not formally interfere with Washington’s handling of the reported clemency request, Putrajaya is also not prepared to entertain any similar consideration domestically.

The Prime Minister’s position also follows comments from Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, who chairs Malaysia’s 1MDB asset recovery task force. Johari previously said the request should be denied and that the United States should help Malaysia locate Jho Low for further investigation.

The issue has revived public attention on the 1MDB scandal, one of the biggest financial controversies in Malaysia’s history. The case involved complex global money flows, luxury asset purchases and legal action across several jurisdictions, including the United States, Switzerland, Singapore and Malaysia.

For Malaysia, the matter remains highly sensitive because 1MDB involved public funds and caused long-term political, financial and institutional damage. Any discussion of clemency for figures linked to the scandal is likely to draw strong public reaction, especially among Malaysians who view the case as a test of accountability and justice.

At the same time, Anwar’s response suggests that the government wants to avoid turning a US legal process into a diplomatic dispute. By describing the issue as a matter for the United States, Malaysia is signalling that it will not obstruct Washington’s sovereign decision-making, but will also not soften its own stance on Jho Low.

Channel NewsAsia also reported that Malaysian police are still investigating allegations that Jho Low had attended secret meetings in Kuala Lumpur last year. Inspector-General of Police Mohd Khalid Ismail said authorities remain bound by law and will continue cooperating with relevant parties to ensure the matter is properly investigated.

The latest development keeps Jho Low’s legal status under international scrutiny. Although he has not been brought back to Malaysia, his name continues to surface in investigations, asset recovery efforts and political debates linked to 1MDB.

For now, Malaysia’s message is clear: any US decision on the reported pardon request is Washington’s business, but Putrajaya will not consider forgiveness or support for Jho Low while the 1MDB-related legal process remains unresolved.