JOHOR BARU, Malaysia Oct 31 — Malaysia will ask the United States to hand over the US$1 billion (RM4.2 billion) in assets it has recovered from fugitive financier Jho Low, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.

The US Justice Department yesterday struck a deal to recoup funds allegedly looted from a Malaysian state investment fund by the financier, in a record capture for a US anti-corruption probe.

"The assets were bought with Malaysian money. We have proof that this is Malaysia’s money. We will now make a claim to the American government,” Dr Mahathir told reporters. — Reuters