This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on May 3, 2019

KUALA LUMPUR: Fugitive businessperson Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, has stressed that the surrender to US authorities of jewellery belonging to his mother, Evelyn Goh, does not amount to an admission of wrongdoing.

Earlier yesterday, it was reported that the custodian of a pair of diamond earrings and a matching diamond ring linked to 1Malaysia Development Bhd — allegedly given to Goh — has agreed for it to be returned to Malaysia.

Citing a May 1 court filing it sighted, news portal Malaysiakini reported that the US Department of Justice (DoJ) stated it had reached an agreement with the custodian for the return of the jewellery set, worth nearly US$1.7 million.

The DoJ also stated that “the transfer of the defendant’s assets shall not be construed as an admission of wrongdoing or liability on the part of the current custodian or any other party”.

“Once the government is in possession, custody, or control of the defendant’s assets pursuant to Supplemental Rule G of the Supplemental Rules for Admiralty or Maritime Claims and Asset Forfeiture Actions, the government will move forward towards default of the defendant assets,” the filing read.

The DoJ, however, did not name the custodian in question.

A spokesperson for Jho Low, through his attorneys, issued a statement to say Jho Low was pleased to learn that the DoJ and all the relevant parties were working to amicably resolve these matters and that the DoJ had acknowledged the return of the jewellery did not constitute an admission of wrongdoing or liability on the part of the current custodian or any other party.

Malaysiakini reported last November that the DoJ had planned to seek the cooperation of Thai authorities to serve a warrant for the jewellery, as Goh was believed to be residing there.