Jho Low’s interview captures world attention
'Penangites have a tremendous ability to succeed" - Lim Guan Eng, CM
Jho Low
PETALING JAYA: The world exclusive on Jho Low by The Star has caught the attention of the global media.
Gawker, an American website based in New York City, carried the interview of Low with The Star on its story “Paris Hilton’s mysterious Malaysian party boy tells all”.
The website reported that according to news, Low was paying US$1mil (RM3.18mil) to hang out with her in St Tropez but he told The Star he knew Paris primarily through her parents, whom he had met through his good friend.
The website picked up Low’s explanation on rumours of him renting an apartment in Park Imperial as well as Paris and her sister Nikki accompanying him to St Tropez.
The Newkerala.com, based in India, published the story on Low with the headline “Paris Hilton is just part of group, says Malaysian businessman”.
The website reported that Low spent a long time in the interview dismissing talk that he was “wasting a lot of money partying”.
A Singapore website asianone.com published the interview with the headline “Paris Hilton’s Malaysian tycoon made his 1st million at 20”.
Singapore’s The Straits Times, in its headline “US$1m before graduation”, also summarised the stories published in The Star.
Local dailies as well as news portals and television stations also picked up the interview. Petaling Jaya-based portal Malaysian Mirror headlined its lead story, “Big spender Jho Low speaks up”.
A day after the interview was published, the 28-year-old multilingual Penangite Low continued to get media attention.
New York Post in its story “Paris parties with Jho Low for free”, reported that Hilton denied she had been paid US$1mil to party with Low in St Tropez. Its website quoted a Hilton representative as saying that they were just friends and that Low had invited Paris and her sister Nicky out as friends.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is proud to note the accomplishments of Penangites who are based overseas, including the “well-connected” Low.
“Low is among many Penangites who have excelled internationally. This augurs well for the state as Penangites have shown they have a tremendous ability to succeed when given the necessary opportunities,” he said after opening the three-day National ICT Association of Malaysia trade fair at the Penang International Sports Arena here.
Paris `not paid to party` with mystery billionaire
Paris Hilton pays a visit to the Late Show with David Letterman to present the 'Top 10 List'. Ed Sullivan Theater stage door in New York City. - Johns PkI / Splash News
By Daniela Elser Jul 30, 2010, 19:43 GMT
There is no truth to reports Paris Hilton was paid $1 million to party with a mysterious billionaire in the South of France, the New York Post reveals.The heiress supposedly received the seven figure payday for whooping it up with Malaysian Jho Low in St Tropez. Rumour circulated that she was hired to lounge topless on his yacht and spray him with champagne at the exclusive club, Les Caves du Roy.
A spokesperson for the 29-year-old has baulked at the suggestion, saying, 'They are friends. Jho has invited Paris and her sister, Nicky, out to St. Tropez as friends. He has not paid her in any way, although he is extremely generous.'
Hilton has been enjoying a break on the Mediterranean.
Bringing Hollywood to Malaysian shores
KUALA LUMPUR: Making Hollywood movies in Malaysia is an important part of Jho Low’s plans to help attract investments to the country.In an interview, Low tells of how he was getting his Hollywood friends like Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx and Leonardo diCaprio to use Malaysia as a location for movies.
DiCaprio: Among Low’s Hollywood friends who are interested in using Malaysia as a location for their future movies.Low’s own entertainment company could be investing in such movies as they plan to set up a special entertainment fund that will invest in ventures from fashion to movies.
He also tells of another superstar friend – Usher – who wants to help him start a charity programme for children here to learn the business part of the entertainment industry.
Q: Where does the Wynton Group go from here?
A: Since I am now in the limelight, we expect to launch our new fund sometime in October. Firstly, there is an initial US$1bil real estate and hospitality fund, mainly for investing in real estate, hotels and hospitality projects around the world.
Secondly, we are also looking to launch a US$250mil entertainment fund because we believe there is some synergy between real estate and entertainment.
Q: Are we talking about movies, music or the whole spectrum?
A: The whole spectrum. So anything from fashion to movies and so forth. Lastly, we are also looking into a US$250mil general fund. When I mention all these fund sizes, it is initial first phase equity commitment that we are securing which means that actual fund sizes and purchasing power could be much larger.
An equity of US$1bil could have a potential purchasing power in excess of US$2bil or more after leverage. Coupled with this, our new headquarters will be based in Abu Dhabi and we have committed to 20,000sq ft in Sowwah Island in Abu Dhabi.
We are excited at the growth proposition of Abu Dhabi as a financial hub for the Middle East.
Q: Where is this fund set up?
A: It’s Cayman-based with a fund manager potentially based in either Abu Dhabi or the Caymans.
Q: What is this about you and Usher?
A: I have known Usher for a long time. I met him in New York and I was working with him on Usher’s New Look Foundation which is a charity that assists children who want careers in the business side of the entertainment industry.
I mentor these kids in terms of giving advise on writing business plans, which are things I learnt while at Wharton Business School. We have been talking for the last few months about bringing that programme to Malaysia.
Sometimes it appeals to the younger generation to get inspired by not business people but celebrities who have business acumen.
Q; Do you have a girlfriend?
A: Yes, my girlfriend is my work. Ask my friends and business partners and they will tell you that I sleep only three to four hours a day and I am always working. I love my work.
Q: A businessman once said that to find out where a business is based, all you have to do is to find out where the secretary is based. So, where is your secretary based?
A: My secretary travels with me everywhere I go. So I guess I am based all over the world, although my heart shall always be in Malaysia.
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