(Apr 16): Umno division chiefs are pressuring businessman Low Taek Jho to return to Malaysia and explain his role in debt-ridden 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

The party’s grass root leaders have challenged Low, who is better known as Jho Low, to come forward and face the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) if he is not guilty.

“We urge Jho Low to return to Malaysia and give explanation to PAC on the 1MDB issue. We want to see if he is involved or not.

“If he is really wants to help, come home and give explanation,” Tanjung Malim division chief Datuk Mohd Khusairi Abdul Talib was quoted as saying by Utusan Malaysia today.

Their challenge comes on the heels of similar statements yesterday by Kepala Batas MP Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican and Umno Youth exco Ibdillah Ishak for Low to come clean on his relationship with 1MBD.

Pengerang division chief Datuk Seri Azalina Othman said Low had to take full responsibility for explaining the problems faced by the government’s strategic investment arm.

“Now we want Low to be fully responsible. If you dare to do it, then you have to dare to face the music,” she said.

Two other Umno division chiefs also urged Low to explain the problems faced by 1MDB that were said to have been caused by him.

“His action does not solve the problem. It only adds a more uncomfortable situation in the 1MDB issue,” said Rasah Umno division chief Datuk Hasim Rusdi.

Meanwhile, Temerloh division chief Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin described Low‘s action in linking Umno to the 1MDB scandal as inappropriate.

“He should have been more specific on why he mentioned Umno. This will only make the members who were not involved in the problem uncomfortable,” Mohd Sharkar was quoted as saying by Utusan Malaysia.

Low had accused Umno leaders of being “spin masters” in matters relating to 1MDB in an interview with business monthly, Euromoney.

Low, who was accused of using his links with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to profit from the fund, had denied the allegation, saying that he only advised 1MDB on certain matters and had no official role in it.

The Penang-born businessman said he was under attack because there were attempts to divert attention away from the company's bad performance and decisions which had led to some RM42 billion in debts.

He also blamed Umno, saying the party had tried to spin the issue.

“It's so frustrating... I’ve never faced this kind of attack from all directions. It’s just crazy, and these Umno guys are spin masters, they know all this sort of nonsense,” he was quoted as saying.

Criticism has been mounting over the wholly-owned Finance Ministry investment vehicle, established in 2009, which has chalked up debts of up to RM42 billion. Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad also been vocal in questioning the transparency of the company. – The Malaysian Insider