Malaysia denied claims that fugitive Low Taek Jho, known as Jho Low, entered the country in late 2025 to negotiate 1MDB-related matters with a Chinese delegation. Deputy Finance Minister Liew Chin Tong officially rejected the allegations during a parliamentary session on July 9, 2026, stating, “I deny the allegation” [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6].
Jho Low remains a fugitive wanted for charges linked to the 1MDB scandal, involving the misappropriation of at least US$4.5 billion in funds. He faces legal action in Malaysia and the United States [1, 2, 4, 7].
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) continues to investigate Jho Low. MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman confirmed the probe is active and ongoing, stating, "The investigation into Jho Low is still ongoing. It has never been closed. That is my response." [8, 9, 10, 11]. As part of its operations, MACC is investigating a luxury property in the US valued at approximately US$13 million, linked to 1MDB funds, with assistance from the FBI since June 15, 2026 [9, 10, 11].
Malaysia still owes RM20.1 billion of outstanding 1MDB debts, with total obligations amounting to RM51.4 billion. So far, authorities have recovered RM31.3 billion in assets tied to the scandal [2, 7]. The Malaysian Immigration Department also stated it has no records or data indicating Jho Low re-entered the country [1, 5, 6].
Claims of Jho Low's secret return first surfaced in December 2025, reported by outlets including Sarawak Report and The Wall Street Journal, which alleged he traveled with a Chinese delegation to discuss 1MDB debt restructuring and asset returns [2, 3, 4, 7, 5, 6]. Malaysian officials have consistently denied these reports.
MACC and Malaysian police conduct separate investigations into 1MDB affairs, each operating under different legal mandates [9, 10, 11].
The latest confirmed update remains Deputy Finance Minister Liew Chin Tong's parliamentary denial on July 9, 2026, and ongoing MACC investigations into linked assets inside and outside Malaysia.
