The proposal was negotiated with Putrajaya by former attorney-general Apandi Ali who represented Low in the negotiations, according to The Edge business newspaper, quoting sources.

However, the government had rejected the proposal, it said.

Jho Low, who is accused of siphoning money from 1MDB, faces a US$3.78 billion (about RM15.85 billion) suit filed by 1MDB and its four subsidiaries.

The Edge said Apandi had not responded to queries on the matter.

Apandi was appointed attorney-general in 2015 under Najib Razak’s tenure as prime minister before his service was terminated in June 2018 following the change in the federal government to Pakatan Harapan.

He sued Putrajaya for RM2.23 million over this termination. A settlement was reached in April.

Low, a Penang-born businessman, has been on the run since the change of governments in 2018 and Interpol has issued red notices for his arrest. The government has said his whereabouts are not known.

He was also said to have been a close confidant of former prime minister Najib Razak, who has been convicted and is on trial on charges relating to funds linked to 1MDB.