KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 — Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said that he was unaware that fugitive financier Low Taek Jho has been arrested in China, but hoped the news is true and will be extradited to Malaysia soon.

He told reporters in Parliament that he only learned about the reports when notified by journalists.

"I didn’t know. Thank you for giving me the info. I hope he is arrested and brought back to Malaysia,” he said.

Dr Mahathir said that while Malaysia does not have an extradition treaty with China, Beijing still can hand Low over to Malaysia.

"We don’t have a treaty with China, but that does not mean China cannot hand him over to us,” he said.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi earlier today also said that he was unaware of any such arrest.