Penang-born businessperson Low Taek Jho, the alleged mastermind behind the 1MDB affair, was in Phuket, Thailand a few days before Malaysia's 14th general election, reported the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

However, when the outcome of the election did not favour former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, with whom he has close ties, he left Thailand yet again and went under the radar, said the report.

According to the report, Low, who is better known as Jho Low, was so confident that he could sail through the scrutiny on him amid the 1MDB scandal investigation by the US' Department of Justice (DOJ), that he "partied and yachted around Asia, trying to contain the fallout."

"Low was so nonchalant that he held a party in February with celebrity friends in the Chinese gambling enclave of Macau, say people familiar with the event.

"He held a birthday celebration for an associate, Eric Tan, whom the DOJ alleges was involved in the 1MDB scandal, in February at the Macau hotel, say people familiar with the event. Hip-hop producer Swizz Beats and singer Nicole Scherzinger flew in to attend, one of them says.

"He (Low) was in Phuket this month in anticipation of a victory for Najib, his ally, these people say. (However) since the election, sensing the heat rising, Low has left Thailand and struck a more careful posture, say the people who know him," said the report.

The DOJ says that at least US$4.5 billion was misappropriated from 1MDB including through the US financial system and has initiated legal suits to recover the funds.

Malaysiakini is unable to independently verify the WSJ report.

In contact with Najib

The report said that Low had remained in contact with Najib directly and with people in his inner circle in the days leading up to GE14, citing people familiar with their relationship.

"His proximity to Najib, who had been in office for almost a decade, made him feel untouchable, these people say.

"Low’s role, they say, was to help Najib contain the fallout from the 1MDB scandal after it broke into the open in 2015, notably in articles published by the Wall Street Journal. To do so, Low relied on allies in China, people familiar with his activity say.

"In China and around Asia, Low appeared to enjoy a protected status even after the scandal broke, travelling with bodyguards he said were provided by Beijing, say people familiar with his movements. He carries more than six phones, using each for a different set of contacts around the world, the people say," said the report.

WSJ had previously reported on the RM2.6 billion found in Najib's personal accounts, which allegedly was from 1MDB.

The former premier, however, has denied any wrongdoing and insisted that the money was from a Saudi donor and said part of it had been returned.

Attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali also cleared Najib of any wrongdoing in the matter.

'Where on earth is Jho Low?'

WSJ said following Najib's defeat in the election, authorities want to know 'where on earth is Jho Low?'

Local Chinese daily Nanyang Siang Pau last week reported that Low was likely to be currently residing in Taiwan.

According to the daily, it had "reliable information" of Low's whereabouts, but did not specify details.

Newly-minted Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had also said that his administration "roughly knows" Low's whereabouts and has vowed to thoroughly investigate the matter and bring to book those responsible.

Najib, who chaired 1MDB's board of directors, is under scrutiny since the BN coalition, which he led, fell in the May 9 general election.

A number of private residences linked to him have been raided by the police in connection with the 1MDB probe and he has been summoned by the MACC for questioning over the matter tomorrow.

Apandi, meanwhile, has been directed to go on leave by Mahathir.