Jho Low only giving excuses not to return to M'sia: Shafee
Jho Low's claim that he feared of not getting a fair trial in Malaysia is only an excuse not to return to the country, said lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.
The defence counsel for former premier Najib Abdul Razak claimed that Low made such a statement because the latter feared to face the law over the 1MDB financial scandal....
UPDATED 9.24PM | Najib's lawyer rubbishes fugitive businessperson's claim of being fearful he would not get a fair trial here.
- UPDATED 9.24PM | Added Shafee's claim that nothing is being done to bring Low back despite police saying they know of his whereabouts.
Jho Low's claim that he feared of not getting a fair trial in Malaysia is only an excuse not to return to the country, said lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.
The defence counsel for former premier Najib Abdul Razak claimed that Low made such a statement because the latter feared to face the law over the 1MDB financial scandal.
"If he is fearful (that) if he comes back he will be arrested, he will be investigated, (his) statement will be taken, and almost 100 percent (sure that) he will be charged for some serious number of offences, obviously he will make (such) statement.
"If you are Jho Low, wouldn't you make a statement like that? You must find an excuse not to return to Malaysia," he said today.
Shafee was responding to a request for comment on an article by Singapore-based Straits Times today, which featured an exclusive interview with Jho Low.
In the email interview, Low, or his real name Low Taek Jho, said that he would only return "when the political climate in Malaysia is such that I feel safe enough to return home and the rule of law will be respected".
The 38-year-old from Penang also claimed that the attacks on him in Malaysia were politically motivated and that he was an easy target because he was not a politician.
When asked about this, Shafee (above) quickly rubbished the statement, calling it as Low going against his own argument.
"For him to say he is just a victim... because he is not a politician, that is totally rubbish.
"Because if you are not a politician, nobody would want to victimise you. Because you are not a politician, you should turn up.
"It is only a politician who gets into trouble because there is always a counter politician who wants to put you into trouble, (and) Jho Low is not a politician, it goes against his argument of being bullied.
"That's total rubbish."
Name and shame country that hides Jho Low
The criminal attorney also raised a question about efforts by the government to arrest Low, which Shafee claimed nothing was being done despite police saying they knew where Low was hiding.
He told reporters that Malaysia should name the country responsible for hiding the fugitive.
"Why not name and shame the country that is responsible? I want to know why Malaysia has not made a request for extradition.
"They have been talking all the time, but doing nothing. Who stands to lose? This country stands to lose. We are losing a lot of money, and the wrongdoers are not being punished.
"And my client Najib (above) is not getting the best defence because these people are absent. So, is it purposedly done to deprive my client of the best defence?"
Meanwhile, Malaysiakini also tried to get a response from Najib over Jho Low's statement, but the politician declined to comment when approached after today's SRC International case hearing at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
"I have not read (the report)," Najib said.
"Besides, the case is ongoing in court now," he added, while walking away with his entourage.
