Jho Low Seeks Presidential Pardon for 1MDB Fraud

Fugitive Malaysian financier Taek Jho Low submitted a formal request for a presidential pardon to the U.S. Department of Justice in 2026. The filing, recorded as a “Pardon after Completion of Sentence,” is listed as pending on the DOJ website. Neither Low’s lawyer nor the Brooklyn U.S. Attorney’s Office has responded to media inquiries.

South China Morning Post

The pardon request relates to Low’s alleged role as architect of a scheme that diverted at least US $4.5 billion from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund. Prosecutors allege that Low, with two former Goldman Sachs bankers, paid roughly US $2 billion in bribes to foreign officials, including former prime minister Najib Razak, and distributed about US $1 billion in kickbacks, while keeping at least US $1.42 billion. The scandal toppled the Malaysian government, triggered multiple prosecutions, and forced Goldman Sachs to settle misconduct claims for more than US $5 billion.

South China Morning PostThe Straits TimesNew York Post

The key individuals include Low, former prime minister Najib Razak, former Goldman Sachs bankers Tim Leissner and Roger Ng, former U.S. president Donald Trump, and senior White House adviser Jared Kushner. The U.S. Department of Justice processes the pardon request, while the Brooklyn U.S. Attorney’s Office and the White House have not publicly addressed it.

The Straits Times

Prosecutors cite $4.5 billion siphoned from 1MDB, $2 billion in bribes, $1 billion in kickbacks, and $1.42 billion allegedly retained by Low. Goldman Sachs settled related misconduct claims for over $5 billion, and Leissner began serving a two-year prison term in February.

The Straits Times

The DOJ entry confirms the request’s pending status. A White House official indicated the request is not on the administration’s current agenda. Both the Brooklyn U.S. Attorney’s Office and Low’s lawyer declined to comment.

New York Post

The Brooklyn U.S. Attorney’s Office and Low’s lawyer have not responded to inquiries, and a White House official indicated the request is not on the administration’s current agenda.

The Straits Times

• “Pardon after Completion of Sentence” — U.S. Department of Justice filing label

The Straits Times

• “Leissner told jurors that Low assured him that Trump, who was president at the time, was directly involved in talks to end the US criminal probe of the 1MDB fraud.” — Testimony of Tim Leissner

The Straits Times

• “Leissner also said Low told him he had discussed the matter with Mr Jared Kushner, Mr Trump’s son-in-law and a senior White House adviser at the time, and had support for a deal in which Low and Leissner would avoid criminal charges over their dealings with 1MDB.” — Testimony of Tim Leissner

The Straits Times

The pending request remains under review, and the 1MDB-related criminal cases and prosecutions continue in the United States and Malaysia, which could shape the ultimate outcome of Low’s clemency bid.

South China Morning Post