He said any pardon application involving Jho Low should not even arise, given the seriousness of the alleged crimes linked to the businessman, which resulted in massive losses to the country.

“However, there was confusion yesterday regarding the issue. When I said it did not arise, it did not mean there was no issue,” he said in Ipoh today. “What I meant was that I would not consider it at all if he were to apply for a pardon. He is involved in fraud and crimes that caused billions in losses to the country. I will not seek a pardon for him,” Bernama quoted him as saying.

“When I said it will not be considered, some media outlets reported otherwise. What I meant was that it is not an issue for us to focus on or consider,” he said.

Jho Low is also believed to have submitted a pardon application in the US to president Donald Trump a few weeks ago, foreign media reported on Tuesday.

Asked about this yesterday, Anwar said: “What the US decides is their own business.”

Jho Low is accused by US authorities of being the mastermind behind the 1MDB financial scandal, reputed to be one of the largest financial frauds in history. On Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal reported that the US Justice Department website listed as “pending” an application in the name of Taek Jho Low for “Pardon after Completion of Sentence”.

The businessman was charged in 2018 for embezzling about USD4.5 billion (RM17.7 billion) from 1Malaysia Development Bhd funds, but is still at large and wanted by authorities.