GEORGE TOWN: A luxurious mansion here, believed to belong to the family of fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, has been seized by authorities to assist investigations involving 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
The towering beige edifice appears to be named "El Nitsjo".
Checks by the New Straits Times at the house in Tanjung Bungah here this morning showed a notice posted on the front wall of the house, addressed to Goh Gaik Ewe, 66, Jho Low’s mother.
The notice of seizure was issued under subsection 51(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
The notice, dated Jan 17, was signed by Deputy Public Prosecutor Syafinas Shabudin.
The notice read:
“Whereas I, Syafinas Shabudin being satisfied on the information given to me by Superintendent Foo Wei Min and Deputy Superintendent Albany Hamzah that the immovable property as set out in the Schedule to this notice is the subject matter of an offence under subsection 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (the Act) our evidence of commission of such offence or territory property or the proceeds of an unlawful activity or the instrumentalities of such offence.
“Now pursuant to subsection 51(1A) of the Act, it is hereby ordered that such immovable property be seized by the investigating officer and all dealings in respect of such immovable property are prohibited.
“Take notice that failure to comply with this notice is an offence under the Act.”
Further checks by the NST on the property found that it was fully shut, indicating the mansion may be unoccupied.
It is learnt that the mater is being handled by the relevant authorities in Putrajaya.
It was reported that Goh was the latest to be sought by police as Bukit Aman widened its investigation into 1MDB.
Prior to this, only her son Jho Low and her husband, Tan Sri Larry Low Hock Peng were wanted.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun had said that Goh, along with three persons of interest, were wanted to assist in the investigation under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
Jho Low has been sought by the authorities for his role in the 1MDB saga.
Jho Low, who is being hunted by police, and wanted in Malaysia, Singapore and several other countries, is believed to be hiding either in China or Abu Dhabi, but to date, his actual whereabouts is not known.
He has been placed on Interpol’s Red Notice since October 2016.
The Malaysian Immigration Department had revoked Low’s passport upon the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) request.