1MDB scandal: Jho Low faces new charges of criminal conspiracy

PetroSaudi International directors Tarek Obaid and Patrick Mahony have also been charged over their roles in corruption scandal

The scandal has led to inquiries by Switzerland and Singapore, while US prosecutors estimate about US$4.5 billion was siphoned from 1MDB

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Fugitive financier Jho Low. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Published: 11:30pm, 11 Feb 2020Updated: 3:22am, 12 Feb 2020

Fugitive financier Jho Low faces new charges in Malaysia along with PetroSaudi International directors Tarek Obaid and Patrick Mahony over their alleged roles in the 1MDB scandal.

The three are accused of engaging in criminal conspiracy with Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak, while Mahony and Obaid face additional money laundering charges for allegedly receiving US$300 million from 1MDB through unlawful activity, according to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission. The charges were served in their absence on Monday at a Magistrate Court in Kuala Lumpur.

These are the first accusations against Mahony and Obaid in Malaysia, while Low, known as Jho Low, has already denied wrongdoing against previous charges filed against him in the Southeast Asian country. A lawyer for Obaid wasn’t available for comment, while a representative for Low didn’t respond to a request for comment.

Malaysia revived its investigation into troubled state fund 1MDB after a change of government in 2018 ousted Najib from power. Najib is on trial for dozens of charges linked to the fund.

The scandal is at the centre of global probes from Switzerland to Singapore, with US prosecutors estimating about US$4.5 billion was siphoned from 1MDB.

The court has issued arrest warrants against the three people, who aren’t in Malaysia, and sought help from Interpol to find them.