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'Jho Low' says be frugal, differentiate between needs and wants
Published:  Aug 8, 2016 12:33 PM
Updated: 4:54 AM

Controversial businessman Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low as he is widely known, has been quoted as advising Malaysians to be penny-wise and not to splurge on "wants" but to focus on their "needs".

Some might fall of their chairs after reading the preceding paragraph.

But these were the quotes attributed to the billionaire by a Malay daily, which inadvertently published his photograph in an article related to a Facebook survey on those who tightened their belts to purchase the things they desired.

The businessman's image was used as a profile picture by one of the Facebook users, Tung Tai Yiek, mentioned in the article titled "Biar lapar asal begaya (Never mind being hungry, style is important)."

"It was the same in the past. Back then I tightened my belt just so that I could use a RX-Z (motorcycle) and (Honda) Civic.

"After marriage, the focus is now on the children. (I) just bought a house).

"Now I use a (Proton) Preve and (Yamaha) Lagenda motorcycle. Don't follow your emotions, must know to differentiate between between needs and wants," read the quotes.

However, the real Jho Low has been accused of abusing 1MDB funds to purchase luxurious properties, expensive artworks, settle gambling debts and buy a plane and a yacht.

The businessman, who is said to be close to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s family, was among those named in the United States Department of Justice civil suits related to 1MDB.

Apart from Jho Low, the others named in the court filings are Najib’s step-son Riza Aziz as well as Abu Dhabi government officials Khadem Abdulla Al-Qubaisi and Mohammed Ahmed Badawy Al-Husseiny.

The court filings also mentioned a "Malaysia Official 1" 36 times, which BN strategic communications director Abdul Rahman Dahlan over the weekend confirmed was Najib.

However, Rahman stated that the prime minister was not involved in the alleged abuse of funds.

Najib has also repeatedly denied abusing public funds for personal gain and blamed such allegations on those conspiring to topple him from power.

Attorney-general Mohamad Apandi Ali has also cleared Najib of any wrongdoing in the 1MDB matter.

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