PETALING JAYA: Low Taek Jho will be called by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) if it is able to link the businessman to Government investment arm 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
However, PAC chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed (pic) said that he is unable to say for now if Low, or Jho Low as he is better known, has links to 1MDB, at least until investigations start.
"I don’t know at the moment until we start our proceedings. If there is any (1MDB) link to him we will call him to come to the PAC," said Nur Jazlan, adding that while investigations are still underway, there is no point in speculating.
"I actually don’t know why he (Jho Low) is coming out to the press and making all these allegations because in terms of the 1MDB organisational structure, management or board of directors otherwise, he's not there. He's not employed or a director of 1MDB so why is he defending himself in this matter?" Nur Jazlan said.
"The Attorney-General's report is done on a professional basis to look at the financial statements of IMDB. We (the PAC) look at it from a political angle as well and we want to know what is going on. Our committee is one of the most independent in the country because it is made up of Government and opposition MPs so it actually reflects the voice of the people," he added.
On Monday, Nur Jazlan said that the PAC may initiate its own audit into 1Malaysia Development Bhd’s dealings (1MDB) without waiting for the Auditor-General’s findings.
He explained that the move may be necessary as the issue has since been politicised by many groups.
The audit could start within the next few months.
In an interview with Euromoney magazine, Jho Low said that he had been made a scapegoat for the losses suffered by 1MDB.
He said that he was never involved in 1MDB, aside from offering advice to Middle Eastern entities on the strategic investment company.
However, tell-all website Sarawak Report had released several stories on 1MDB and the involvement of the billionaire tycoon.
On March 4, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak instructed the A-G to verify 1MDB’s accounts and forward the findings to the PAC.
The A-G began its audit on March 10, with Auditor-General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang holding a meeting with 1MDB’s president and chief executive director Arul Kanda. He, however, did not disclose what transpired during the meeting.
