The seized superyacht Equanimity, purportedly belonging to fugitive businessman Jho Low, arrives in Port Klang August 7, 2018. ― Picture by Mukhriz Hazim

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak has denied any knowledge about the purchase of superyacht Equanimity allegedly with funds misappropriated from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

The former Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman claimed that he only learned about the yacht and its return to Malaysian shores through various media reports.

“Of course I have no knowledge of it. I have not been on board. I do not know about it until it came out in the press.

“We do not know (if there is any proof to link the purchase with 1MDB money). It is subject to investigation...We have to find out who really owns the yacht,” he told reporters at parliament lobby here today.

He added the previous government did not pursue Equanimity’s return because they had their eyes on the bigger prize, which is the full settlement with the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC).

Najib said it was the best option rather than selling off an asset that is constantly depreciating in value.

“We didn't pursue it earlier because we were interested in the full settlement with the UAE and that is worth much more than the Equanimity. But the Equanimity is being used again as a populist move,” he said.



Yesterday, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the government will auction off the luxurious yacht, purportedly belonged to fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho, to recover as much money as possible.



To which Najib responded with: “It’s a depreciated asset. Not many people in the world can buy a yacht like that.”

The Pekan MP also pointed out that the legality of the move should be questioned, as done by lawyer Matthias Chang in his open letter to the Attorney-General Tommy Thomas yesterday..



“The yacht itself could be subject to litigation so it is not a clear-cut matter,” Najib said.



The RM1.02 billion luxurious yacht docked at the Terminal Boustead Cruise Center, Port Klang at 12.40pm today.