Several Umno division leaders have continued to challenge businessman Low Taek Jho to return to the country to explain to the Public Accounts Commitee (PAC) issues related to the embattled 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

Tanjung Malim Umno division chief Mohd Khusairi Abdul Talib said it was unfair of Low, better known as Jho Low, to give statements to the international media on issues involving national interests.

"We urge him to return to Malaysia and give his explanation to the PAC. We want to see whether he is involved or not.

"If he really wants to help, then return and give an explanation," Khusairi ( left ) told Umno-owned Malay daily Utusan Online .

In the same article, Pengerang Umno division chief Azalina Othman said Low should be a "gentleman" about the matter.

"Don't only bark from out of the country, with all sorts of accusations against Umno being involved with problems plaguing 1MDB," Azalina said.

Low, in an interview with business monthly Euromoney , accused certain quarters in Umno of playing the racial card to create the impression that the "Chinaman stole the money and blew it on alcohol".

In the interview, he also remarked that "those Umno guys are spin masters", prompting Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin to call for an investigation against the businessman.

‘Low is desperate’

Meanwhile, Rasah Umno division chief Hasim Rusdi said Low was now so "desperate" that he had to resort to accusing Umno members of being "spin masters".

"His actions did not solve the problem and instead, he only created a more uneasy situation," he said.

On the other hand, Hasim's party colleague, Temerloh Umno division leader Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin,  slammed Low for associating 1MDB with Umno, as not all members knew about the workings of the government investment arm.

"He should have been more specific. Why did he mention Umno? This has led many members, who do not have anything to do with the problem, to be slighted," Sharkar said.

Meanwhile, The Star Online reported that the PAC would call up Low if investigations show a link between him and 1MDB.

However, PAC chairperson Nur Jazlan Mohamed said he could not yet indicate if Low had links with 1MDB.

PAC may question Low

“I don’t know at the moment. If there is any (1MDB) link to him we will call him to come to  PAC,” Nur Jazlan said, adding that there should be no speculation for now.

“I actually don’t know why he (Jho Low) is coming out to the press and making all these allegations because, in terms of the 1MDB organisational structure, management or board of directors, he’s not there.

“He’s not employed or a director of 1MDB, so why is he defending himself in this matter?” Nur Jazlan asked.

Low’s alleged links to the scandal surrounding Prime Minister Najib Razak’s pet project came to the fore when whistleblower website Sarawak Report published a series of articles based on email that linked the businessman to one of 1MDB’s projects.