KUALA LUMPUR: Kee Kok Thiam, a suspect in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) case who informed the authorities of the whereabouts of fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, has been confirmed dead.
Kee, 56, was described as Low's associate and had been deported from Macau for overstaying his visa.
He was arrested at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 (KLIA2) earlier this month.
The New Straits Times contacted the MACC for its response on the matter.
"Yes, we learnt the same thing as well, that a suspect we had detained has died," said the source, who declined further comment.
It is understood that the family will be issuing a statement on the matter.
Earlier today, international broadcaster Al Jazeera, quoting MACC, reported that several individuals had spotted Low in Macau.
The graft-busters had said they believe that individuals wanted for the 1MDB case, including Low, were hiding in Macau.
An obituary notice on Kee's death had made its rounds earlier.
The funeral service is scheduled to be conducted at the Kepong Crematorium tomorrow.
Previously, the government said it was expediting the extradition of Low back to Malaysia through collaborations with foreign agencies.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman said the collaboration also involved MACC and included an Interpol Red Notice issued against Low in 2018.
In 2018, Low, alongside four others linked to the 1MDB scandal – Terence Geh, Jasmine Loo, Casey Tang Keng Chee and Eric Tan Kim Loong – were charged in absentia at the Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur Magistrate's Court due to money laundering cases on the 1MDB scandal.
An arrest warrant against the five individuals was also issued following sufficient evidence against them in money laundering cases.
The warrant was also issued to request Interpol's assistance in locating them in six countries, China, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand as well as St Kitts and Nevis.
Low, who is the alleged mastermind behind the 1MDB scandal has also been sentenced in absentia to 10 years imprisonment by a Kuwait Court in early March for laundering over US1 billion.
In July 2020, he was believed to be in Macau, where China has denied harbouring the fugitive.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani last year reiterated their commitment to hunting down the fugitive businessman and to bring him back to Malaysia to face the charges filed against him.