Jho Low Submits U.S. Presidential Pardon Application in 1MDB Case
Fugitive Malaysian financier Jho Low, also known as Low Taek Jho, has filed a request this year for a U.S. presidential pardon after completion of sentence. The move, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, has drawn opposition from Malaysian officials who want him located for further investigations into the multibillion-dollar scandal.
The GuardianU.S. presidential pardon that could remove criminal charges against him in the United States. The US Justice Department website lists a pending request under the name Taek Jho Low for a “Pardon after Completion of Sentence” that was filed this year.
Low, whose legal name is Low Taek Jho, faces multiple charges including corruption and money laundering in the US and Malaysia. 5bn from 1MDB, the state fund at the center of one of the world’s biggest financial frauds. The 1MDB scandal began to unfold in 2015.
Low has consistently denied wrongdoing. His whereabouts is unknown. Authorities have previously said Low was believed to be in China, although Beijing has denied it. A White House official said Low’s request was not on its radar.
In Kuala Lumpur, Johari Abdul Ghani, the chair of a Malaysian taskforce seeking to recover funds and assets linked to 1MDB worldwide and also the trade minister, said Low’s request should be denied. Johari Abdul Ghani said the US should instead assist Malaysia in locating him for further investigations. “As far as I’m concerned, I’m against the pardon,” Johari Abdul Ghani said.
He added that he was unaware of any talks between Low and Malaysia to return assets. The request has landed awkwardly for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government, which is attempting to recover stolen 1MDB assets while demonstrating that the country’s post-2018 anti-corruption efforts retain momentum.
Malaysia had temporarily lifted an Interpol red notice against Low to facilitate the return of significant assets to the country.
In 2019, the US struck a deal to recoup about $1bn from Low. In that agreement, Low agreed to give up a private jet and high-end real estate in Beverly Hills, New York and London among other assets. In 2023, Anwar Ibrahim said the government was negotiating with other countries to speed up Low’s return.
U.S. court, stood trial or accepted responsibility. A pardon cannot erase charges he faces in Malaysia and Singapore.
Jho Low attended the Social Good Summit in New York on September 21, 2014. The article was published on 14 May 2026.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
6 events- 2026-05-14
Article published detailing Low's recent pardon request and Malaysian reactions
3 sourcesSCMP · The Guardian · WSJ - 2026 (this year)
Low files official request for Pardon after Completion of Sentence
2 sourcesUS Justice Department website · WSJ - 2023
Anwar Ibrahim states government negotiating with other countries to speed up Low’s return
1 sourceAnwar Ibrahim statement - 2019
US strikes deal with Low to recoup about $1bn in assets including private jet and real estate
1 sourceUS Justice Department - 2015
1MDB scandal begins to unfold
1 sourceMultiple reports - 2014-09-21
Jho Low attends Social Good Summit in New York
1 sourcePhoto caption
Potential Impact
- 01
Low's unknown location and history of Interpol red notice adjustments continue to hinder prosecution in multiple jurisdictions.
- 02
US-Malaysia law enforcement coordination on the 1MDB case may be strained by differing priorities on Low's legal status.
- 03
Malaysian government recovery efforts for 1MDB assets could face complications if a pardon is granted without Low's cooperation or extradition.
Transparency Panel
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