Kebun Bunga state assemblyman Jason Ong, who used to be neighbours with Low in Pulau Tikus when they were young, said Low should be given the chance to defend himself against the allegations.
“Do not jump to conclusions. Give him a channel to reply. Do not judge him first,” he urged the Malaysian public.
“This is the rule of law in Malaysia. There must be due process,” he told reporters after handing over hampers to Rifle Range flats residents today.
Ong said he had known Low since they were both young, and that they used to play together. Their parents also knew each other. However, he has not seen Low since 2013.
Low is wanted by the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission, which has taken out a warrant of arrest. He is sought for investigations into allegations of corruption, embezzlement and money-laundering of funds amounting to several billion ringgit linked to 1Malaysia Development Berhad.
The businessman, whose current whereabouts are unknown, had helped to set up the Terengganu Investment Authority, which was later taken over by the federal government and renamed 1MDB.
Ong, a lawyer and PKR member, said that “from a friend or a lawyer’s point of view, I think he should just come back and assist in investigations”, as the case was a high-profile one.
Low has expressed his intention to return, after MACC announced he was being placed on their wanted list, together with several other former 1MDB officials.
Ong said: “The thing is, no matter how you try to avoid or try to escape, I believe the authorities will still be able to find you. Why? Because those countries with diplomatic links like the United States will give notice.
“The warrant of arrest is out. Interpol has been alerted to the case.
“If they put you on a ‘no fly’ list, you can’t leave. It is better to come back,” he said, adding that Low should hire good lawyers to defend himself.
A former banker with Goldman Sachs Group is also being sought by MACC in connection with a bond issue for which Goldman Sachs received a commission of US$600 million.
MACC is also reported to have issued an arrest warrant for Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil, a former managing director of 1MDB subsidiary SRC International.
Malaysia aware of Interpol’s red notices against Jho Low, says Singapore