The latest Netflix documentary Man on the Run, which released on January 5, 2024, showcases a shocking tale of corruption and betrayal. Interestingly, the man under the spotlight is a mysterious Malaysian businessman named Jho Low.
Low is an international fugitive wanted by authorities for his involvement in the infamous 1MDB scandal. A sovereign wealth fund, the 1MDB was established in 2009 to help Malaysian citizens. However, according to Deadline, Low and former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak devised a scheme to exploit this fund. In 2015, journalist Clare Rewcastle-Brown received leaked financial documents that set off a global investigation.
Reportedly, large sums of money were being funneled into international bank accounts, which helped Jho Low lead a lavish life. Furthermore, Low acquired expensive properties, a private jet, a super-yacht, partied with famous personalities, and dated supermodels. Jho Low has also been dubbed the “Asian Great Gatsby.” Deadline reports that he even financed Martin Scorsese’s 2013 blockbuster The Wolf of Wall Street.
Now, Netflix is going to document his life and bring it to the streaming platform users. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the synopsis of the documentary reads, “MAN ON THE RUN exposes a shocking true story of corruption and betrayal that shook an entire nation’s financial stability. It follows Jho Low, a mysterious businessman, and playboy, as he masterminds a scheme to exploit a sovereign wealth fund in Malaysia, 1MDB.”
It further states, “With the collaboration of Prime Minister Najib Razak, Low funnels billions into global bank accounts to fuel his extravagant lifestyle, including Hollywood parties and even financing ‘The Wolf of Wall Street.’ Director Cassius Michael Kim’s meticulous investigation unravels a web of greed and corruption, revealing the profound impact of this colossal financial scandal.”
Man on the Run on Netflix: Where was Jho Low last seen?
As mentioned earlier, Jho Low is wanted by international authorities for charges like money laundering and fraud. He is reportedly hiding in China. According to Al Jazeera, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) recently stated that they believe Low is in Macau.
Their statement mentioned the people involved in the 1MDB case, saying that MACC “believes the individuals wanted for the 1MDB case, especially Jho Low, are hiding in Macau.” The statement further said, “This was also confirmed by several individuals who have seen Jho Low in Macau.”
Authorities recently arrested another 1MDB suspect named Kee Kok Thiam. However, MACC officers did not find any charges against him “at this time” and let him go. Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for his role in the entire ordeal.
A recent Deadline report revealed that Razak’s lawyers were trying to remove Man on the Run from Netflix. His lawyers have described the documentary as “subjudicial and contemptuous” content.
However, its director, Cassius Michael Kim, stated, “Censorship is the tool of the oppressor. The former prime minister’s claims that he was misled by me are patently false and echo his words from our interview in the film, in which he repeatedly states that — during the 1MDB scandal — he was misled by all those around him in government. While he was a mere unknowing puppet. I look forward to a brighter future for the Malaysian people.”
Najib Razak was born on July 23, 1953, and served as Prime Minister of Malaysia from 2009 to 2018. His father, Abdul Razak Hussein, was the prime minister of the country from 1970 to 1976. Meanwhile, Jho Low was born to a wealthy Malaysian Chinese family on November 4, 1981. He was raised in George Town on Penang Island.
