Financial fugitive Low Taek Jho aka Jho Low has been on the run from the law for several years now. However, when his right-hand man Kee Kok Thiam (纪国添) returned to Malaysia, authorities managed to get a lead on Jho Low’s whereabouts. Unfortunately, Kok Thiam reportedly passed away at age 56 on 29th May.
Kee Kok Thiam allegedly disappeared after leaving Malaysia in 2018. However, earlier this year, he popped back up on authorities’ radars when they caught wind he would be returning to the country. Regretfully, less than a month after his return, Kok Thiam was reported to have passed away, causing some to suspect foul play.
On 3rd May 2023, Kok Thiam reportedly returned to Malaysia via the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). According to Al Jazeera and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), he had been imprisoned by Macau’s immigration body prior before he was deported. Reportedly, Kok Thiam had then surrendered himself at the MACC headquarters to assist in their investigations into the infamous 1MDB financial corruption scandal.
Authorities have been trying to close the net on Jho Low for a very long time, especially since he allegedly potentially holds all the secrets to the 1MDB scandal. And although Kee Kok Thiam was not the main man behind said scandal, it was understood that he was deeply involved in its operations as well. Kok Thiam had allegedly informed authorities of Jho Low’s whereabouts in Macau, which was later affirmed by other witnesses.
When an obituary of Kee Kok Thiam was released on 30th May, MACC confirmed that it was indeed about Kok Thiam, however, they were unable to confirm anything else. They did add that Kok Thiam had been released after recording his statement earlier this month. Another source later confirmed MACC had received news of Kok Thiam’s death. According to China Press, Kok Thiam’s legal representative has since confirmed he passed away due to a “sudden massive stroke”.
A wake for Kee Kok Thiam was reportedly held on Tuesday (30th May), while his funeral will be held today (31st May). He will be cremated at the Kepong Crematorium later today. The Star added that alleged family members present at the wake yesterday had claimed they “knew nothing” when approached.
Sources: China Press (1)(2)(3), Yahoo!News, The Star, Malay Mail
