KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 4): Fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, or more commonly known as Jho Low, has responded to the new charges brought against him today by saying that they are a continuation of the trial by media and political reprisals by the Pakatan Harapan government.

“These charges are intended to create another false sense of security for the political loss that the Mahathir regime has brought upon itself due to its failures on current issues; disregard for the rule of law; and intentional misinterpretation of the Constitution,” said  a statement issued on his behalf.

The statement, attributed to an unnamed spokesman of the financier, was issued via an Australian public relations firm, Wells Haslem Mayhew Strategic Public Affairs.

The statement said Low, the central figure in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal, maintains his innocence.

“As has been previously stated, Mr Low will not submit to any jurisdiction where guilt has been predetermined by politics and there is no independent legal process.

“It is clear that Mr Low cannot get a fair trial in Malaysia, where the regime has proven numerous times that they have no interest in the rule of law,” the statement said.

Earlier today, criminal charges were filed against  Low and four others in absentia in the sessions courts.

The four are his aide Eric Tan Kim Loong, former 1MDB general counsel Jasmine Loo Ai Swan, former 1MDB general counsel Casey Tang Keng Chee and  former 1MDB official Terence Geh Choh Heng.

A magistrate’s court then issued warrants of arrest against them.

In August, criminal charges had also been filed in absentia against Low and his father Tan Sri Larry Low Hock Peng over money allegedly stolen from 1MDB.