Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has revealed that fugitive businessperson Jho Low appears to be one step ahead of the Malaysian authorities.

“He (Jho Low) seems to have the capacity to learn ahead of what we are going to do,” he told reporters in New York where he is attending the UN general assembly.

According to Bernama, Mahathir said this when quizzed on the whereabouts of Jho Low, who has been described as the mastermind of the 1MDB scandal.

Mahathir said the authorities have received some information on the whereabouts of Jho Low from several parties, including Malaysians.

“But he has the capacity to learn ahead about what action we might take and he disappears,” he reiterated.

The premier said despite facing numerous difficulties, the authorities are doing their best but unfortunately so far they have not yet been successful.

“If you know, tell and take some action. Please tell us exactly where (Jho Low is) and we need to negotiate with the country concerned.

“All these things will be off the record, more or less,” he added.

Asked if it was true that Jho Low was in China, Mahathir said: “We are told he is in China among other places. We are also told he is in Bangkok.”

Jho Low and his father, Low Hock Peng, were charged in absentia in Malaysia last month over money allegedly stolen from 1MDB.

The Malaysian authorities are now working with various countries as well as the United States and Swiss attorneys-general to return money allegedly stolen from the sovereign wealth fund.