Yesterday evening, Kinokuniya bookstore, a well-stocked pit-stop for the lit(erature) lovers of Kuala Lumpur who walk among us, played host to an exclusive book signing with Tom Wright, one of the author’s of Malaysia’s hottest title right now, Billion Dollar Whale.
Chronicling the ins and outs of Malaysia’s 1MDB financial scandal, the story looks at Jho Low’s allegedly instrumental role in ensuring that billions were siphoned out of the sovereign wealth fund, with claims that proceeds went towards luxury abodes, film financing, birthday parties, yachts, planes, and jewelry to his favorite lady patron, wife of then-PM Najib Razak, Rosmah Mansor.
It’s juicy! Peep our interview with the author for some of the more salacious and dumbfounding tidbits.
First edition copies have sold out across the country, and a couple hundred lucky readers who managed to snag a book descended upon the city’s Suria KLCC shopping center on a Tuesday to get theirs signed.
We asked five random people in line a few questions, including who they would cast as Low in a film version of the tale.
Dom, 36, Engineer
Coconuts KL: Have you read the book?
Dom: As of now, only the author’s notes. I refuse to read the PDF.
Coco KL: What was the best bit that you’ve heard about the book floating around?
Dom: I’m not sure if this qualifies as a “best” bit, but certainly the funniest thing that I head was that the actual man that the film Wolf of Wall Street is based on, Jordan Belfort, went to a J-Lo party –
Yin, Dom’s wife: It’s just Jho Low, honey. Not J-Lo.
Dom: Oh? Well, Jordan Belfort went to one of his Vegas parties and thought he was a crook. When a crook thinks that you’re a crook, you’re probably a crook.
Coco KL: Have you heard that it might be turned into a film?
Dom: Yes, I have.
Coco KL: Who do you think should play Jho?
Dom: You know who would be great? The Malaysian comedian who is on The Daily Show, Ronny Chieng.
Yin: Who?
Dom: The fellow in Crazy Rich Asians who had the pose-thing with his wife and kids. He’d be really great I reckon. He’d need to eat some pies, though.
Jason, 35, Web designer
Coconuts KL: Have you read the book?
Jason: Not yet!
Coco KL: What made you come out here on this fine afternoon, and line-up to meet Mr. Wright?
Jason: I’ve read a lot of articles on the matter, starting back in 2016. His work influenced me to think, since he’s the one who “spilled all the tea.” I started to do research myself, and it was incredible what was being reported.
Coco KL: What would you ask Jho Low right now, if you could ask him anything?
Jason: I would ask him why he is so stupid. Why would you waste all of that money, and why would you go out there and buy a massive super yacht that attracts so much attention?! To be honest, I have a lot of questions for him!
Coco KL: In a movie based on the book, who would play former Prime Minister Najib Razak, and his wife Rosmah Mansor?
Jason: Najib? Are there any fat and balding actors currently working? Maybe Alec Baldwin?
Coco KL: Hahaha — but he’s not Asian, and he’s still got a lot of hair!
Jason: This is true. I need to think.
Coco KL: What about Rosmah?
Jason: I wouldn’t’ want to offend anyone.
Jess, 40, Marketing and Communications
Coconuts KL: Have you managed to read the book?
Jess: Not yet — but I have read a lot of reviews.
Coco KL: What’s the most outrageous thing that you’ve heard about the saga?
Jess: The ridiculous parties, and all of his celebrity friendships.
Coco KL: If you could ask Jho anything, what you it be?
Jess: If it was worth it. All of this.
Coco KL: Have you got the PDF? It seems that copies are incredibly widespread. In a book about stealing, no irony has been lost on all of the (free) forwarded copies.
Jess: Yes I have got it, and it was difficult to resist reading. I was in Singapore yesterday and managed to find the book there.
Coco KL: We’re trying to get some casting suggestions going if they make this into a movie. Have you got any names to throw in?
Jess: I know someone who looks just like Jho Low, but he’s not an actor. He would be perfect, hahaha.
Azean Irdawaty, an actress who passed away a few years ago, would have been great as Rosmah, though.
Amalina and Fai, both 23, both students
Coconuts KL: Have you read the book?
Amalina: Nope, we just got the book now.
Coco KL: Did you get forwarded a PDF copy?
Amalina: Actually, yes I did, but I refused to download it.
Coco KL: What is the strangest thing to you about the whole 1MDB scandal?
Fai: How so much money was spent, on random celebrities, all because he just wanted to be acknowledged by them.
Amalina: I read that the authors only included a portion of the info, and there was a lot more to add in, but not enough time since it was going to press. So much is still developing, I would love for this to be turned into a series.
Coco KL: Who would you cast as Jho, if they were to make this into a movie?
Fai: I think only Jho himself could pull this off. He’d finally get that recognition he was looking for, but only if they can catch him!
Shalini, 32
Coconuts KL: Did you manage to read the book?
Shalini: Yes! I’m about three-quarters through it right now.
Coco KL: Wow — You’re the first person we’ve spoken to that’s read the majority of the book. What was your favorite part, so far?
Shalini: Not in a good way, but I was taken aback by how complicit everyone was in the entire matter. Global banking institutions allowed things to go through. Everyone wanted a cut, so instead of flagging issues, they were swept under the rug.
Also, the sheer amount of money that was spent by one person. If Vegas casinos are out there saying that you spend a lot, you are definitely spending A LOT.
Coco KL: Who would play Jho? We’re finding it really hard to cast him.
Shalini: Honestly, I can’t think of an actor who is currently working that would fit the bill. They might have to find an unknown if they want to get the look right, if not — it’s going to be an expensive make-up job.
