Special adviser to the government Rais Yatim has questioned the apparent love for businessperson Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, by certain quarters.

Rais said this in response to Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz’s criticism of him after he raised concerns about Low and 1MDB.

"When criticism is made (about 1MDB), great ministers such as Nazri accuse people of whining (meroyan).

"The world has made a mockery out of Malaysia due to Jho Low.

"Why the love for the spinner Jho Low? Billions of ringgit belonging to the country have disappeared," he said in a Twitter posting.

Itulah..bila ditegur menteri hebat macm Nazri kata orang meroyan. Dunia dah cukup perli Malaysia melalui Jho Low. Kenapa sayang sngat pd pemutar alam Jho Low?Berbillion Rgt wang Negara lesap. Ingat bila pelepah gugur pucuk jgn ketawa. Saya masih menteri, lupa kot? Siapa meroyan?

— RAISYATIM (@DrRaisYatim) March 14, 2018

Low has been accused of being a key figure in the alleged misappropriation of 1MDB funds. He has denied wrongdoing.

Yesterday, Nazri criticised both Rais and former minister Rafidah Aziz for speaking up on 1MDB, claiming they have a grudge against the current government for being dropped as ministers.

However, Rais pointed out that he still held the rank of minister.

"I am still a minister, (has Nazri) forgotten? Who is whining?" he said.

Rais, as a special adviser to the government on cultural matters, enjoys the same perks as a minister.

The 1MDB matter is being investigated in multiple jurisdictions and has been described by US attorney-general Jeff Sessions as "kleptocracy at its worst."

The US Department of Justice believes at least US$4.5 billion in 1MDB funds was misappropriated and laundered through the financial system in the US and other countries.

The DOJ is seeking to seize US$1.7 billion in assets allegedly acquired using the stolen money.

1MDB has denied that any of its money was misappropriated.