1MDB investigation committee chief Abu Talib Othman said he was not aware of a purported plan by Malaysian investigators to meet Jho Low in Dubai.

According to The Malaysian Insight, which cited unnamed government sources, Low's lawyers have initiated discussions with Malaysian authorities, but the sources declined to divulge details.

The report also claimed that Low chose Dubai because he was close to the influential stakeholders there.

When contacted, Abu Talib said he was in the dark over the supposed meeting, saying he was not the person contacted by Low and his lawyers.

"I don't know, (Low and his lawyers have) not contacted me," he told Malaysiakini.

When asked on what kind of cooperation could the 1MDB task force expect from Low (photo) should such a meeting take place, Abu Talib simply said: "I cannot comment on that."

Efforts to find Low, believed to be a key person in the 1MDB affair, have intensified as the probe into 1MDB was also widened to include various government agencies as well as investigators from various countries, including Singapore, the United States and Switzerland.

Authorities believe he could help with the tracing and recovery of assets purchased with 1MDB funds, including expensive jewellery.

It was reported that Low was accorded protection by China and several Middle East countries, including the United Arab Emirates.

MACC has also stated that it is seeking Low, a 37-year-old financier from Penang, to assist in its probe into SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of the beleaguered 1MDB state investment fund set up by ousted prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Besides Low, MACC is seeking SRC International director Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil and arrest warrants have also been issued against the two.

Wanted men

Malaysiakini has also reported that another director of SRC International, Suboh Mohd Yasin, has been given full witness protection after surrendering himself to authorities.

Singapore, too, issued an arrest warrant against Low in April 2016 and Interpol issued a red notice (see below) in October the same year. 

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said recently that the government had an idea where Low was, but could not get him back as Malaysia did not have existing extradition arrangements with the country where Low is believed to be hiding.

Following Najib's ouster after last month's general election, sources had claimed that Low attempted to meet with Mahathir when the latter was newly sworn in as prime minister, to offer assistance in the 1MDB investigation.