14/05/2026

THURSDAY | MAY 14, 2026

/thesuntelegram FOLLOW / Malaysian Paper

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Tengku Mahkota of Pahang scales Mount Kinabalu KUNDASANG: Tengku Mahkota of Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and his entourage conquered the summit of Mount Kinabalu at 8.45am yesterday. Mahkota Borneo Expedition, which concluded yesterday. The climb began from Timpohon Gate at 8.05am yesterday before His Royal Highness and the entourage arrived at the accommodation area in Panalaban at 3.45pm.

Sabah Parks Operations and Enforcement division’s Rescue and Crisis Unit assistant park manager Julaimin Kamin said Tengku Hassanal and his entourage began the ascent at 3.07am after arriving at Panalaban at 3.45pm yesterday. “His Royal Highness arrived at the Sayat-Sayat checkpoint at 5.05am before continuing the climb at the 8.5km point at 6.37am and reaching the summit of Kinabalu together with the entourage at 8.45am.” Julaimin said weather conditions during the climb were very good, with temperatures at about 9°C, and the ascent proceeded safely and smoothly. He said Tengku Hassanal and the entourage spent almost an hour at the summit before descending to Panalaban at 9.30am. Tengku Hassanal led the expedition to scale Mount Kinabalu in conjunction with the three-day

Along the climbing route, there are seven rest huts for climbers, namely Kandis Hut, Ubah Hut, Lowii Hut, Mempening Hut, Layang Layang Hut, Paka Hut and Waras Hut. Mount Kinabalu, which stands at 4,095.2m above sea level, is the highest mountain in Malaysia and is located within the 754sq km Kinabalu Park. Kinabalu Park, gazetted in 1964, serves as a biodiversity conservation area and is the country’s first United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) World Heritage Site. Today, it has also been recognised as a core area within the Kinabalu Unesco Global Geopark, covering an area of 4,750sq km encompassing Kota Belud, Kota Marudu and parts of Ranau. – Bernama

Tengku Hassanal and his entourage at the summit of Mount Kinabalu. – PIC COURTESY OF KESULTANAN PAHANG FACEBOOK PAGE

Nation firmly against clemency for Jho Low o Renewed calls follow reports fugitive financier seeking pardon from US President Donald Trump over 1MDB scandal

‘Object formally against presidential pardon’

PETALING JAYA: Legal experts have urged Malaysia to formally object to any move to grant a pardon to fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho in the United States (US), following reports that he is seeking clemency from US President Donald Trump over his alleged role in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal. Former Malaysian Bar president Salim Bashir said any approval of the pardon request could result in criminal charges against Low Taek Jho in the US being dropped. “Although a US presidential pardon would not affect ongoing investigations or trials in Malaysia or other jurisdictions, it could still have significant legal and practical implications, particularly if the fugitive were to remain abroad without facing prosecution.” Salim added that while US presidents are not bound by objections from foreign governments, Malaysia should nevertheless formally register its protest through the Attorney General’s Chambers to the US Department of Justice. “We should still express our objections and displeasure on Jho Low’s pardon application due to his involvement in the biggest financial fraud that shook the world, and him being a fugitive Malaysian pursued by Malaysian authorities. “The US pardon power should not be used to subvert the rule of law in bringing Jho Low to justice for the mega financial fraud in world history.” Salim also stressed that while US clemency would not impact Malaysian proceedings, it could potentially complicate extradition Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

efforts if Jho Low remains outside Malaysia without facing active charges in the US. He said fugitives accused of crimes in their home country should be brought back to face trial, regardless of developments in other jurisdictions. Lawyer Datuk Baljit Singh Sidhu said Jho Low’s reported attempt to seek a pardon from Donald Trump makes a mockery of the 1MDB situation and sends the wrong message from the US to the rest of the world. “It risks creating the perception that financial crimes involving billions can eventually be negotiated away through political influence and connections. “Such a move would undermine global efforts to uphold accountability, transparency and the rule of law.” Baljit added that the 1MDB scandal was not only a Malaysian issue but also one with international implications involving financial institutions, regulatory systems and public trust across multiple countries. “Any attempt to circumvent justice through political lobbying diminishes the seriousness of the offence and disrespects the efforts of enforcement agencies worldwide.” He said such an approach may damage the credibility of institutions that claim to champion anti corruption and good governance. “Justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done fairly and consistently, regardless of wealth or influence. “In my view, this exercise by Jho Low to reach out to the White House appears futile and inappropriate, particularly when many unanswered questions surrounding the 1MDB scandal still remain.”

through a complex web of transactions involving fund officials and individuals linked to Jho Low. The scandal triggered a massive political fallout in Malaysia and was widely seen as a key factor behind the collapse of the Barisan Nasional government in the 2018 general election after more than six decades in power. Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, who founded 1MDB in 2009, has since been convicted in multiple corruption-linked cases connected to the scandal and is serving a prison sentence. Najib’s defence team has repeatedly portrayed Jho Low as the main architect behind the embezzlement scheme. International probes into the scandal have also implicated major financial institutions, and led to criminal proceedings against former Goldman Sachs bankers. The Wall Street Journal further reported that Malaysia had previously agreed to temporarily suspend an Interpol red notice against Jho Low as part of efforts aimed at recovering overseas assets allegedly tied to the scandal. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said in 2023 that Malaysia was working with several countries to expedite efforts to bring Jho Low back to face justice, although he did not identify the nations involved. Over the years, speculation has mounted that Jho Low may be hiding in China but Beijing has repeatedly denied claims that it is sheltering the fugitive financier.

Ű BY THESUN TEAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

The controversy follows a Wall Street Journal report claiming that Jho Low had formally submitted a pardon request in the US. A White House official was quoted as saying that the application is not currently under active consideration. According to reports, a US Department of Justice database lists an application under the name Taek Jho Low categorised as a “Pardon after Completion of Sentence” filing submitted earlier this year. Meanwhile, IGP Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said police are continuing investigations despite reports that Jho Low is seeking the pardon. “This issue is still at the stage of ongoing investigations. I view matters like this as rather sensitive to discuss,” he said yesterday. “We are still pursuing action as before and maintaining good relations with the countries concerned.” Jho Low remains one of the central figures in the sprawling 1MDB corruption scandal and is wanted in several jurisdictions over allegations involving fraud, corruption and money laundering. It was reported that about US$4.5 billion was siphoned from 1MDB between 2009 and 2015

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has renewed calls for fugitive financier Jho Low to be brought to justice following reports that he is seeking a pardon from United States (US) President Donald Trump over the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal. The latest development has reignited global attention on the multibillion-dollar financial scandal, with Malaysian authorities insisting that efforts must remain focused on locating the businessman and ensuring that he faces justice. 1MDB Task Force chairman Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said any attempt to secure clemency for Low Taek Jho, widely known as Jho Low, should be firmly rejected. “As far as I’m concerned, I’m against the pardon,” he told Reuters in a text message when asked about the reported application. Johari, who is also Investment, Trade and Industry minister, said the US should instead assist Malaysia in tracing Jho Low to support ongoing investigations. He added that he was not aware of any negotiation involving the return of assets allegedly linked to the case.