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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia has recovered assets worth US$8.57 million (RM39.1 million) linked to fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, and his family members. According to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), the recovery was made with the assistance of Singapore authorities and stems from a global civil forfeiture settlement reached between Jho Low and the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) in connection with the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal. The MACC said additional accounts belonging to Low’s family members are expected to be repatriated soon, with all recovered funds to be channelled into the 1MDB Asset Recovery Trust Account. To date, US authorities have secured more than US$1.5 billion in assets linked to Jho Low, much of which has already been returned to Malaysia. With this latest recovery, along with the recent US$330 million (RM1.4 billion) settlement with JPMorgan Chase & Co, the total assets repatriated to Malaysia from the 1MDB case now stand at RM31.19 billion. Jho Low, accused of masterminding the multibillion-dollar fraud involving 1MDB, allegedly diverted billions through offshore entities and bank accounts to fund a lavish lifestyle. He has been a fugitive since 2016 and faces criminal charges in both Malaysia and the United States. The MACC stressed that the recovery underscores the government’s commitment through its multi-agency task force—which includes the Attorney General’s Chambers, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), the Royal Malaysia Police, and the National Anti-Financial Crime Centre—to pursue all misappropriated funds and hold accountable those involved in one of the world’s largest financial scandals. Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who established 1MDB in 2009 as a state investment fund, has already been convicted in a related case involving its former subsidiary SRC International. He was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment and fined RM210 million, though a partial royal pardon has since reduced the sentence to six years and the fine to RM50 million.

SHAH ALAM, GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH) chief executive officer (CEO) Nasiruddin Mohd Ali and three former company accountants pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court on Wednesday to a total of 264 money laundering charges involving more than RM40 million between 2020 and 2024. Nasiruddin, 66, together with Hamimah Yakub, 73, Asmat @ Asmanira Muhammad Ramly, 45, and Asmanira’s husband, Mohd Khushairi Osman, 54, entered their pleas after the charges were read separately over a five-hour session before Judge Awang Kerisnada Awang Mahmud, according to Sinar Harian. The charge breakdown shows Nasiruddin facing 109 counts involving RM14 million, Hamimah with 60 charges, Asmanira with 41 charges amounting to RM5 million, and Mohd Khushairi with 54 charges totalling RM20.3 million. The charges allege that the accused received and transferred proceeds from unlawful activities through 10 bank accounts linked to them, GISB Mart Sdn Bhd, GISB Travel and Tour Sdn Bhd, and a childcare centre in Bandar Baru Bangi, Rawang, and Subang Perdana during the period under review. Prosecutors Megat Mahathir Megat Tharih Affendi, Mohd Izham Mohd Marzuki, and P. Sangari classified the offences as non-bailable but recommended bail of RM50,000 with one surety each if the court were to exercise discretion. Additional conditions proposed included surrendering passports, monthly reporting to Bukit Aman police, and prohibiting contact with prosecution witnesses. Defence counsel Datuk Rosli Kamaruddin argued for lower bail, citing financial incapacity and noting that the accused had undergone rehabilitation programmes under the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), the Selangor Islamic Religious Department, and the National Security Council. The judge allowed bail of RM20,000 each for Hamimah and Asmanira, and RM25,000 for Mohd Khushairi, with two sureties each. However, no bail was granted for Nasiruddin, who is also detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA). The case was fixed for re-mention on November 6 and 24. Separately, on Sept 9, Hamimah faced nine additional money laundering charges amounting to RM3.89 million, allegedly involving personal accounts tied to a supermarket and a company. The court granted temporary bail of RM5,000 for those charges to prevent her immediate arrest.

KUALA LUMPUR, The sale of electronic cigarettes and vape products will be completely banned in Malaysia as part of efforts to curb misuse among consumers. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad explained that the measure will be implemented in stages, beginning with a ban on open-system devices before being extended to all types of vape products. However, he did not specify a timeline for the full enforcement of the ban. “The Ministry of Health (MOH) has held detailed discussions with key ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Finance, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, the Ministry of Domestic Trade, the Ministry of Home Affairs through the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority, and the Attorney General’s Chambers,” he said in a written reply at the Dewan Negara. He added that the findings and proposed implementation plan will be presented to the Cabinet for approval. This decision will form the foundation for a nationwide ban on the sale of electronic cigarettes and vape products.