The jewellery items were among valuables seized by the police from premises belonging to Obyu Holdings Sdn Bhd at Pavilion Residences in May 2018.
Deputy public prosecutor Faten Hadni Khairuddin said the court had previously set July 12 to 15 for third parties to inspect the jewellery, but it could not be done as it was during the lockdown.
“Inspection of the jewellery had also been set for Aug 2 to 5, but it cannot be carried out (also) due to the same movement restrictions, and also because arrangements have yet to be made for Samer, who is in the United Kingdom, to enter Malaysia.
“The prosecution also suggested for the physical inspection to be carried out only when the National Security Council (NSC) gives permission for indoor group activities, after taking into account current developments, such as the risk of the spread of Covid-19,” she told reporters via WhatsApp after the e-review (online) case management before High Court Judge Muhammad Jamil Hussin today.
She said this was because the risk of the spread of the virus was high as the BNM vaults where the jewellery was kept were in a closed area, and would involve many people.
It would not only involve the presence of third parties, but also the police, she said, adding that the court also set Sept 9 for case management.
Najib, Rosmah and Global Royalty are the third parties who are staking claim to the jewellery in the forfeiture application against Obyu Holdings, which is owned by Bustari Yusof.
On July 25 last year, Najib and Rosmah had inspected a total of 306 handbags, 401 watches, 16 watch accessories and 234 pairs of spectacles which were also seized from the same premises.
In 2019, the prosecution filed a forfeiture application against Obyu Holdings to seize various items including 11,991 units of jewellery, 401 watches and 16 watch accessories, 234 pairs of spectacles and 306 handbags as well as cash in various denominations amounting to RM114,164,393.44.
The money and jewellery were confiscated by the authorities for being allegedly linked to the 1MDB national sovereign fund scandal.