Low was convicted for an offence under section 84(1) of the Securities Industry Act 1983 (SIA) for acts calculated to create a misleading appearance with respect to the price of Repco shares on 3 December 1997, on the then Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange.

On 11 January 2016 the Sessions Court convicted Low of the offence charged and sentencing was then fixed on 29 February 2016. Following today’s sentencing, the Sessions Court allowed Low’s application for a stay of the decision pending his appeal to the High Court.

In light of the conviction and sentence however, Low’s bail was increased to RM1.3 million while his passport had earlier been ordered to be surrendered to the court. Low was charged by the SC in the Sessions Court on 18 September 1999. At the end of the prosecution case during which 25 witnesses were called, the Sessions Court acquitted Low on the basis that the charge was not proven. The SC then appealed to the High Court which affirmed the Sessions Court decision.

The Court of Appeal however, on 28 February 2013 overturned the decision of the High Court and ordered Low to defend the charge against him, reverting the case back to the Sessions Court. The sentence against Low is the highest imprisonment term imposed by the courts in a market manipulation case.