This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on October 23, 2018

KUALA LUMPUR: Former defence minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein confirmed yesterday that he had been reaching out to “friends from the past” among Chinese officials to track down the alleged mastermind behind the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) fiasco, businessman Low Taek Jho or Jho Low.

Speaking to the press in Parliament yesterday, the Sembrong member of parliament, who was also previously the special functions minister, said he was doing so in his personal capacity and not because he had been asked to by the present government.

“[It was] definitely [done in my personal capacity]. I am not doing this in any other capacity,” he said.

“We want justice and closure [to the 1MDB investigations], and if it is true that he is in China, I will use the network that I have to [try to] ensure he comes back and be served justice — I am not sure if it can be done.

“But I have enough contacts and friends, from the past, in the leadership,” he said.

“I do not know if he is in China. To find out whether it is true, I will need to speak with the Chinese leadership. And if the Chinese leadership is withholding him, I want to know why,” he added.

He was addressing speculations that he was being asked by Putrajaya to help in the search for the fugitive businessman.

Hishammuddin also said he was already “working on” getting in touch with members of the Chinese leadership, and said he was looking to pay the nation a visit soon in relation to the matter.

“Whether [Jho Low] is guilty or not guilty, the court will decide. But he cannot be roaming around the world as though nothing has happened,” Hishammuddin added. He also denied the rumours that he had been asked by the Malaysian government to warm ties between Malaysian and the Middle East nations.

“That is also not true,” he said.