After having the seized the RM1 billion (US$250 million) super-yacht belonging to fugitive financier Jho Low, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad now has his sights set on acquiring Low’s alleged former private jet that was confiscated by Singaporean authorities in February of last year.
Our neighbors south of the Causeway impounded the Bombardier Global 5000 jet, alleging that it was part of the assets acquired using over RM4 billion (US$1 billion) that was siphoned from 1MDB funds.
Speaking to local media, Prime Minister Mahathir spoke of the inevitability of bringing the plane back to Malaysian airspace: “Yes, I think so. We have to bring it back.”
Reports emerged early last year that the private jet, registered under the number N689WM, was currently grounded at Singapore’s Selatar airport.
However, when pressed for further details over the plane’s whereabouts and what kind of talks were transpiring, the PM became effusive with his answers, claiming he wasn’t sure that that “somebody else is doing it.”
When asked to elaborate at an event opening a university art exhibition, Mahathir would only say:
“We are trying to get back all the money that has been stolen from us. We know who has it but we don’t know where they are. And the need for us to access the money depends on us proving that it is our money.”
Last week, the PM was hit by allegations coming from Low’s legal team, alleging that Malaysia’s leader was “putting words into the mouth” of US authorities regarding the super-yacht’s return to Malaysia.
Never one to pass of a sharp comeback, the 93-year-old responded:
“I am very proud that I can put words in the mouth of the US Government. I must be greater than Trump (US president Donald Trump).
You can ask the US authorities whether I put “words into their mouths”, whether I typed out the words and shoved it down their throat.”
CRUNCH.
The back and forth comes after Low’s spokesperson claimed that no evidence was able to tie the yacht to its infamous squatter, and rather it was Mahthir’s administration that found him guilty.
Ok, Jho.
The PM has countered that the US Department of Justice had given Malaysia assurance that the yacht was bought using diverted 1MDB funds.
Low’s alleged plane seats up eight passengers comfortably, and we have one single burning question:
Is this the same plane that flew Jamie Foxx, Leo DiCaprio, and Jonah Hill into two New Year’s Eve celebrations back to back?
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