JAILED former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s wife Rosmah Mansor has argued that a court ruling already established that the jewellery and luxury items linked to her are not proceeds of unlawful activity. This contention was made in her defence statement against 1Malaysia Development Bhd’s (1MDB) US$346 mil (RM1.63 bil) jewellery lawsuit.
Rosmah highlighted a Kuala Lumpur High Court decision from nearly two years ago, which determined that the luxury items in her possession were not obtained through illegal means or breach of trust.
She pointed out the Malaysian sovereign wealth fund is obligated to adhere to the court ruling made on Nov 14, 2022, which dismissed the government’s forfeiture suit against her. The forfeiture case was related to items seized during a raid on a Pavilion Kuala Lumpur condominium following the 2018 general elections.
On May 9, 1MDB and ten other entities filed a US$346 mil writ of summons against Rosmah and Shabnam Naraindas Daswani. The plaintiffs claimed that Rosmah received numerous items of jewellery, watches and handbags procured by Shabnam, allegedly bought with misappropriated funds from 1MDB and the other plaintiffs.
The plaintiffs include 1MDB subsidiaries — 1MDB Energy Holdings Limited, 1MDB Energy Limited, 1MDB Energy (Langat) Ltd, and Global Diversified Investment Company Limited— as well as former 1MDB subsidiary SRC International Sdn Bhd, and five companies in liquidation: Affinity Equity International Partners Ltd, Alsen Chance Holdings Ltd, Blackrock Commodities (Global) Ltd, Blackstone Asia Real Estate Partners Ltd, and Brightstone Jewellery Ltd.
Moreover, the plaintiffs’ claim is based on “equitable proprietary claim and/or unconscionable or knowing receipt of trust property or its traceable proceeds and/or dishonest assistance in breach of trust or fiduciary duty and/or dishonest enrichment.”
They claimed that the funds were routed through various offshore entities including five of the plaintiffs now in liquidation, before being used to purchase luxury goods from 48 vendors in at least 14 jurisdictions.
“A total of 320 such payments totalling US$346,010,489 were made,” they alleged.
Besides seeking an order for Rosmah to pay over US$346 mil, the plaintiffs are also requesting the court to compel her and the other defendant to pay damages or equitable compensation to be assessed later, along with aggravated and/or exemplary damages.
The law firm Lim Chee Wee Partnership represents 1MDB and the other plaintiffs while Rosmah is defended by Reza Rahim & Rajivan. – July 5, 2024
Main photo credit: The Edge Malaysia
