Ex-1MDB lawyer arrested, home minister says

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today confirmed that former 1MDB lawyer, Jasmine Loo Ai Swan, was arrested by police on July 7 to assist in the investigation into the misappropriation of funds.

He said that Loo was arrested at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, and was remanded on Saturday.

He added that Loo, through her lawyer, was said to be willing to cooperate and assist the police investigation in the 1MDB case, according to Section 409 of the Penal Code.

"Loo will assist the police and the Malaysian government investigate the 1MDB case," he said without revealing further details, including Loo's remand period.

On Jan 20, the Kuala Lumpur High Court allowed the prosecution's application to forfeit the rights to two luxury cars and money amounting to RM22,600 belonging to Loo.

Judge Azhar Abdul Hamid made the ruling after allowing the application which was made in accordance with Section 56 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorist Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities (AMLATFPUAA) Act 2001.

The court also allowed the application of a third party, namely OCBC Bank (M) Bhd, to claim a condominium unit in Mont Kiara here which was seized from Loo.

In November 2021, the prosecution filed a notice of motion to forfeit two cars, an Audi and a Volkswagen New Beetle, cash amounting to RM22,600 and a condominium unit in Mont Kiara, from Loo.

Loo is said to be a close associate of fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho or Jho Low who was also involved in the 1MDB financial scandal and was listed as a wanted person after escaping and until now his whereabouts are still unknown.

On Dec 4, 2018, the Magistrate's Court issued arrest warrants against Jho Low, Loo, former 1MDB executive director Casey Tang Keng Chee, former 1MDB official Geh Choh Heng and Jho Low’s close associate, Eric Tan Kim Loong after they failed to appear in court to face seven charges of money laundering related to 1MDB.