SERDANG: The government is making arrangements with Singaporean authorities to recover a private jet in the republic owned by fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low.
When asked if the jet was purchased with money stolen from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said: "Yes...I think so. (So) we have to bring it back."
Speaking to reporters at Perdana University here after visiting the Tun M: A Forever Legacy exhibition, the prime minister said discussions are being held on the matter with "someone in the (Singapore) government."
It was reported last year that Singapore had seized a US$35 million private jet belonging to Jho low.
The Bombardier Global 5000 jet has been impounded by authorities and is grounded at Singapore’s Seletar Airport.
The aircraft is believed to be part of some US$1 billion in assets allegedly acquired with funds siphoned from 1MDB that the US government is moving to seize.
"We are trying to get back all the money that has been stolen from us. We know who has it, but of course, we don't know where they are," Dr Mahathir added.
Meanwhile, the prime minister responded to Jho Low’s latest condemnation of the seizure of the Equanimity superyacht, one day after it was announced that the luxury vessel will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.
In a statement sent to a news portal through his spokesman, Low said the handover of the yacht to Malaysian authorities may lead to legal repercussions for the potential buyer.
He again insisted that the seizure was illegal, adding that Malaysia was “putting words into the mouth” of US authorities by saying that the yacht’s arrival in Malaysia last week was following negotiations with the Americans.
In response, Dr Mahathir said that he is proud to be able to “put words into the mouth of United States authorities."
"I must be greater than US president Donald Trump. (Jho Low) should ask the US authorities if I put words into their mouth,” he said.