Former Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) chairperson Daim Zainuddin has reiterated how fugitive businessperson Jho Low had reached out to him.

“I don't know what role he's playing. I said why don't you come back and discuss with me first.

"With the assets, he said he can help us to get back the assets and give us one or two names (of people involved). I said (to ask) them to come to see me,” he added.

Daim also revealed that Low's request for immunity in exchange to locate assets linked to 1MDB was rejected.

“I told him 'no'. If he wants to help, better come back first so that we can discuss.

“He claimed he is innocent, so if you are innocent you come back here. Why you are running away?" the former finance minister told Channel News Asia.

On Low's ability to continue evading Malaysian authorities, Daim claimed that part of the problem was moles in the civil service as well as enforcement agencies who feed information to members of the previous government.

In July, Daim revealed that he was informed that Low and his family were at a hotel overseas, but the wanted businessperson disappeared within an hour.

“He has his people everywhere - using taxpayers’ money. He was able to hire the best lawyers in town.

"I was told he spent more than US$40 million on legal fees alone," he added.

According to Daim, the Penang-born businessperson, who has been described as the mastermind of the 1MDB scandal, had managed to pull off the feat with the assistance of advisors.

“He has good advisors. He paid them," said Daim, adding that these were bankers who were paid top dollars.

However, the former CEP chairperson said Putrajaya only seeks to recover the people's money when asked if the authorities' dragnet would be extended to these bankers.