THE High Court has ordered 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) to pay RM225,000 in legal costs to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s stepson Riza Abdul Aziz, and his two companies following the withdrawal of a civil suit against them.
The decision was made by High Court judge Datuk Raja Ahmad Mohzanuddin Shah Raja Mohzan after 1MDB discontinued its legal action seeking to recover US$248mil from Riza, Red Granite Pictures Inc and Red Granite Capital Ltd.
On Feb 24, 1MDB’s counsel Rabindra S Nathan, informed the court that he had received instructions to withdraw the suit but did not disclose any reasons for the decision. The defendants’ legal team had no objections to the withdrawal, leaving only the issue of legal costs to be resolved.
The abrupt end to the lawsuit raises questions about 1MDB’s legal strategy in its efforts to recover funds linked to the multi-billion dollar financial scandal.
Red Granite Pictures, co-founded by Riza, was previously implicated in the US Department of Justice’s investigation into 1MDB’s misappropriated funds, with allegations that the company used 1MDB-linked money to finance Hollywood films including The Wolf of Wall Street.
Critics swiftly attacked Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the Madani government.
“Wait! It gets better and better. First, 1MDB (under Khazanah Nasional Bhd) withdraws its US$248mil law suite against Riza. No reason given. Now Khazanah has to pay him 225k in costs. What a great day for justice!” wrote Denis Ignatius, a former diplomat on X.
Wait! It gets better and better. First 1MDB (under Khazanah) withdraws its RM248 law suite against Riza Aziz. No reason given. Now Khazanah has to pay him 225k in costs. What a great day for justice!https://t.co/DXr8cyyOK8
— DennisIgnatius (@DennisIgnatius) March 7, 2025
Another critic of the Anwar government had this to say: The fact that Riza and Najib’s wife Rosmah Mansor have yet to face any real consequences, while continuing to secure deals under successive administrations – from former premier Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri to now Anwar – suggests that Rosmah is even more shrewd and cunning than Najib himself.
From the way Riza Aziz and Rosmah yet to pay any real price and continue to make series of deals under Muhyiddin, Ismail Sabri and now Anwar Ibrahim, it tells Rosmah is more shrewd and evil than even Najib Razak.
— FreeMalaysian (@FreeMsian) February 24, 2025
1MDB faced heavy criticism from the High Court in its civil lawsuit against Riza, ultimately being ordered to pay RM225,000 in legal costs to him.
The decision comes after 1MDB abruptly withdrew its US$248mil suit against Riza, Red Granite Pictures Inc and Red Granite Capital Ltd on the final day of the trial despite spending years pursuing the case.
“1MDB has once again wasted the people’s time and money by withdrawing its lawsuit against Riza Aziz on the final day of trial after pursuing the case for years,” wrote another frustrated user on X.
Hari ini, 1MDB kena belasah teruk oleh Hakim dlm perbicaraan kes saman sivil terhadap Riza Aziz, siap bayar RM225k kpd Riza
1MDB sekali lagi membazirkan masa & wang Rakyat dgn menarik balik saman terhadap Riza Aziz pd hari terakhir perbicaraan selepas bertahun2 jalankn kes ini pic.twitter.com/4vvrYwkIL5
— Naratif Rakyat 🇲🇾 (@NaratifRakyat) March 7, 2025
Another user said, “Welcome to Pakatan Harapan-Madani! Not only Riza stole from the rakyat, and now the rakyat need to pay his legal fees!” to news that 1MDB has to pay Rosmah’s son after it withdrew the case. — March 8, 2025
1MDB ordered to pay RM225,000 in costs to Riza Aziz https://t.co/2hwrITpqCy
Welcome to PH-Madani!
Ptuuih!
Not only Riza Stole from Rakyat,
and now Rakyat need to pay his Legal Fees!
😡— jediMASTER (@jedimaster909) March 7, 2025
Main photo credit: Malaysiakini
