KUALA LUMPUR: The Magistrate’s Court here has issued warrants of arrest against fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho and four individuals linked to him and 1MDB.
The warrants of arrest were related to various criminal charges amounting to US$1.17 billion (RM4.2 billion) against Low, his aide Tan Kim Loong, former 1MDB general counsel Loo Ai Swan, former 1MDB executive director Tang Keng Chee and ex-1MDB official Geh Choh Heng.
The charges were filed against the five in their absence today at the Sessions Court here.
The alleged offences under the anti-money laundering law and criminal breach of trust (CBT) were allegedly committed between 2009 and 2014.
The money laundering charges were framed under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (Amla) 2001. The money laundering law was amended in 2014. If convicted for money laundering, an accused person will face a maximum five years’ jail or RM5 million fine.
The maximum jail sentence for CBT is 20 years and anyone found guilty is also liable to be whipped.
Low is facing five charges for allegedly laundering US$1.03 billion.
Meanwhile, he and Tan were also jointly charged under the same section for allegedly laundering US$126 million.
Tang is facing one charge of criminal breach of trust (CBT) for allegedly misappropriating US$700 million of 1MDB funds and transferring it to Good Star Ltd, Low’s company.
He was also accused of receiving US$6.7 million in illegal funds under Amla.
Geh was slapped with one CBT charge amounting to US$125 million for allegedly transferring 1MDB money to Good Star Ltd.
Loo was accused of receiving US$6 million in illegal funds.
Sources said police can use these warrants of arrest to seek Interpol’s help in placing the five individuals under its “red notice”.
Low and his father, Larry, were charged in their absence at the Putrajaya Sessions Court in August for money laundering offences.
Police had also obtained arrest warrants against them.