Penang NGO criticises seizure of Jho Low's family home

KUALA LUMPUR (June 3): Penang-based NGO Citizens Awareness Chant Group (CHANT) has attacked Putrajaya’s seizure of fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho (pictured) or Jho Low's Penang family bungalow over the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.

"This home was their family home for many years and their children grew up in this house. 

"Obviously if any funds are proven in an impartial court of law to have been misappropriated, they should be recovered, but how could this house be connected to 1MDB when it was built long before 1MDB existed?” asked Yan Lee, adviser to CHANT in a statement today.

“I have known Mr Larry Low and Madam Goh for more than 20 years. 

"The Malaysia Baru Government should follow the rule of law and must stop using this issue as an excuse. 

"Taking a family home -- anyone’s family home -- without any real reason is just not right,” the statement added.

The three-storey bungalow is located in Tanjung Bungah Park, George Town, Penang. The government has confiscated the home as part of a RM680 million civil forfeiture action.

Low last week issued a statement saying that said the seizure by the government “smacks of a personal vendetta”.