KUALA LUMPUR – Fugitive Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, was reportedly named during internal White House discussions on a proposed mass presidential pardon initiative ahead of the United States’ Independence Day celebrations, although the White House has firmly denied he is under consideration.
According to The Atlantic, White House officials discussed a proposal dubbed “250 pardons for 250 years”, which would see up to 250 pardons announced as part of celebrations marking the United States’ 250th anniversary over the Fourth of July weekend.
Citing sources familiar with the discussions, the publication reported that Jho Low’s name surfaced during the early stages of deliberations.
However, a White House official told The Atlantic that the fugitive businessman is not being actively considered for clemency.
“While the president is the final decision maker on all pardons, these individuals are not on the radar of the pardon team.”
The report said the proposal has yet to be formally submitted to US President Donald Trump and remains under internal discussion, with advisers reportedly divided over its political implications.
Former Fugees member Pras Michel, who was convicted in a lobbying case linked to Jho Low, was also reportedly included in the broader list of names discussed.
Representatives for Jho Low did not respond to The Atlantic’s request for comment.
The latest report follows earlier claims that Jho Low had submitted a separate application to the US Department of Justice seeking a presidential pardon over charges linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.
According to previous reports, the application attempted to portray Jho Low as a figure of regional diplomatic value — an argument Malaysian authorities have rejected.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has maintained that Malaysia will continue pursuing Jho Low’s return to face justice, regardless of any foreign legal proceedings.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has also said the government is closely monitoring developments surrounding reports of the pardon application.
Jho Low remains a central figure in the 1MDB scandal, in which investigators allege that more than US$4.5 billion was siphoned from the state investment fund through an international money laundering scheme.
US authorities have accused him of orchestrating the fraud, including bribery and money laundering involving foreign officials. He has denied all allegations.
His whereabouts remain unknown, while Malaysian and US authorities continue efforts to secure his arrest.
The US Department of Justice has previously launched extensive civil forfeiture proceedings to recover assets allegedly purchased with funds misappropriated from 1MDB.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has said all clemency requests undergo a formal review by the Department of Justice and the White House Counsel’s Office before being presented to the president. — July 2, 2026