Businessperson Low Taek Jho, who is accused of being a central figure in the multi-billion dollar 1MDB graft scandal, is fighting back.
Better known as Jho Low, the fugitive has overhauled his personal site to focus on rebutting allegations about him in relation to the 1MDB scandal.
Just last month, the landing page of Low's personal website merely read: "Welcome to the personal website of Jho Low, a global philanthropist, investor and entrepreneur".
However, the updated version of his site now reads: "This website provides factual information, court documents, and other materials on behalf of Jho Low, a global philanthropist, investor, and entrepreneur who has been identified by various parties as a figure in what has become known as the 1MDB saga.
"Mr Low will also provide comment and opinion, as well as public statements through his spokespeople and legal team. Mr Low maintains his innocence and believes he will be vindicated once all the relevant evidence has been presented in a fair and legitimate court of law.
"Visitors are encouraged to return to this site for updates regarding developments as these matters progress."
The page also included a letter signed off by Jho Low, stating that the website is intended to counter the allegations against him in relation to the 1MDB scandal, which has been described as the worst case of kleptocracy in history by the US Department of Justice.
"Many of the allegations have originated from blog posts, improper leaks from within governmental agencies around the world, or unproven allegations filed in court, which I have never been afforded an opportunity to set the record straight.
"I have been paraded in effigy through the streets of Kuala Lumpur, and photographs from my younger days plastered in tabloids across the globe. It has become clear there is no platform where objective information can be presented regarding this issue – and no jurisdiction that hasn't been poisoned by gossip, innuendo, and unproven allegations.
"This website is an effort to change that," it said.
Low, in the letter, said his goal is to provide a "balanced view" of the allegations and "the truth".
"Let me be clear: I am innocent. With hindsight, I may have done things differently, like any young person, but any mistakes I made do not amount to the sweepingly broad and destructive allegations being made against me.
"There are so many fundamental facts that those seeking to lay blame at my door find convenient to ignore. This website shall bring to light these facts and provide the true story that has been suppressed for so long.
"I only ask that everyone – courts, prosecutors, and the general public – keep an open mind until all of the evidence comes to light," he said.
'Entities raised in DOJ deleted'
The Putrajaya sessions court had issued an arrest warrant against Low last month under the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act (AMLATFA) 2001.
However, there is no indication that the Penang-born businessperson intends to return to Malaysia to face investigators.
Low, in his letter, said he "had his opinion" about rule of law, political corruption and the fairness of the justice process in Malaysia and plans to make that clear.
On the updated website's "About Jho Low" page, references to Jynwel Capital Limited and Jynwel Charitable Foundation Limited, Low's corporate public face, were erased.
The previous description that Low "oversees both the operations and investment strategy for the firm and cultivates lifelong partnerships with significant investors in Asia and the Middle East, such as leading sovereign wealth funds, major international investment companies and large family enterprises" also deleted.
Instead, the updated site merely provides a simple description which read: "Low Taek Jho is a global investor and philanthropist who has invested in numerous companies, financings, restructurings and other investment projects of various sizes and complexity across a variety of sectors.
"Those sectors have included media and entertainment, consumer and retail, energy and resources, real estate and hospitality, precious metals, commodities, and infrastructure".
The remaining description states the awards he had won and education background.
His links to various entities such as Viceroy Hotel Group, The Electrum Group and EMI Music Publishing, previously listed in the old version of the site were also removed.
The US Department of Justice claimed Low had acquired interests in those entities using allegedly stolen 1MDB funds and is seeking to seize them.
In total, the DOJ believed at least US$4.5 billion was misappropriated for 1MDB and Low playing a key role.
Malaysian authorities have determined part of this money ended up in the account of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak. Najib had denied wrongdoing or taking public funds for personal gain.
