Irresponsible to grant Jho Low asylum, says IGP

“We have sought the countries’ cooperation to send him (Low) back but he seems to get immunity and protection from the authorities in those countries.”

(Bernama) – It is irresponsible for certain countries to offer asylum to Malaysia’s most wanted businessman, Low Taek Jho or Jho Low, Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador said.

He said these countries had also refused to cooperate with Malaysia and were thus making it difficult for the authorities to discharge their duties.

“We have sought the countries’ cooperation to send him (Low) back but he seems to get immunity and protection from the authorities in those countries.

“We have tried various approaches but they are giving us various excuses to the extent of saying that he had undergone facial plastic surgery,” he said after presenting the letters of appreciation to 16 General Operations Force (PGA) officers and staff at the 14th PGA Battalion Camp here today.

Hamid said police would continue with their efforts to being Low back to Malaysia.

“I’m still using the usual approach and am willing to cooperate with the countries involved. Whatever their terms are, I’m willing to listen, but what’s important is that the criminal must be returned to us,” he said.

He said no countries should protect a criminal “just because they have political ties”.

“This is a crime, he (Low) robbed a country of money and is given asylum in another,” he said,

Hamid said police were investigating a claim that Low held a Cypriot passport.

“We received information that he exploited them (Cyprus) because they need money to boost their economy,” he said.

Separately, Hamid urged the lawyer of detainees linked to Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) who claimed they were abused and tortured during detention to lodge a police report.

“I trust my men, there are closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and if he has proof, then come forward, talk to the judge, we’ll fight in court,” he said.

He said his police personnel knew the rights of detainees under the law.

“This has always been among my concerns. I have never allowed any of my men to even lay a finger on the detainees,” he said.

In a statement yesterday, DAP MP and lawyer Ramkarpal Singh described as “ill-advised and premature” Hamid’s dismissal of allegations of misconduct against some of the suspects charged with terrorism over their alleged lionks to LTTE.