The newspaper confirmed that a spokesman for the Singapore Police Force said that Malaysia had not submitted a formal request to reclaim the private jet, said to be owned by the fugitive businessman.

The aircraft, which was seized as part of the ongoing 1MDB-related investigations, is parked at Seletar Airport in the republic.

“Any such request, along with other requests for the return of seized 1MDB-related assets, will be dealt with in accordance with Singapore’s legal framework.”

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had said over the weekend that Putrajaya was keen to bring back the jet.

This came days after the US$250 million luxurious yacht Equanimity, said to belong to Jho Low, was handed over to the Malaysian government by the Indonesian authorities which had seized it.

Mahathir said the yacht, said to have been bought with funds swindled from 1MDB, will be sold to the highest bidder.

It was reported last year that the US$35 million Bombardier Global 5000 was impounded by Singaporean authorities and grounded at the Seletar Airport.

The aircraft is part of some US$1 billion in assets allegedly acquired with funds misappropriated from 1MDB.

When asked if discussions were being held with Singapore, Mahathir said that “somebody else is doing it” and that his government was trying to get back the money stolen from the country.

“We know who has it but of course we don’t know where they are and for us to get access to the money, it will depend on us proving that it is ours.”