Attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali said the government would not claim businessperson Jho Low’s luxury yacht that was seized by Indonesian authorities in a joint effort with US Federal Bureau of Investigation yesterday.

When asked by Malaysiakini whether the government would seek the return of Jho Low's yacht, the Equanimity, Apandi retorted: “Why would the government claim something that does not belong to them?”

When pressed further that the US Department of Justice had alleged the money used to purchase the US$250 million (RM1 billion) yacht came from 1MDB, Apandi said his direct response to the matter was as he had commented above, and told Malaysiakini to report only that.

Finance Minister II Johari Abdul Ghani said the same when a similar question was directed at him. 

"I don't know (what will happen to the yacht), because the yacht does not belong to the Malaysian government," he told the press after launching the 22nd "Hari Hasil" at the Inland Revenue Board building in Cyberjaya this morning. 

It was reported that the Equanimity was seized in Bali yesterday and dozens of crew members were questioned by the Indonesian authorities. However, Jho Low was not on board.

Jho Low had subsequently, through his spokesperson, condemned the seizure of the luxury yacht, which can hold 26 guests and 33 crew members, and has a helicopter pad.

The vessel is being sought by the DOJ on the grounds that it was bought using funds allegedly siphoned from 1MDB.

In total, the DOJ is seeking to seize approximately US$1 billion worth of assets which was allegedly bought with 1MDB funds that were misappropriated.

Putrajaya has maintained that 1MDB funds are not missing or stolen.

Johari unaware of gov't action on Swiss claims

Meanwhile, Johari (photo) said he was unaware if the Malaysian government will seek to claim the RM400million of 1MDB-linked funds that the Swiss government wants to absorb after seizing it from several banks. 

"I am not privy to all this... I am not aware (if the government will claim the funds). 

"I don't like to comment on something when I don't have the facts," he said.

Swiss Finance Minister Ueli Maurer previously said that the funds had already flowed into the Federal Treasury because there were no claimants.

Swiss law allows the government to recover illegally-generated profits. 

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