Lebanese firm to refile suit against Rosmah over RM61mil jewellery

Lebanese firm to refile suit against Rosmah over RM61mil jewellery

Global Royalty Trading SAL claims 43 pieces of jewellery are still with the former prime minister’s wife.

Counsel David Gurupatham says based on the consignment memorandum, Rosmah Mansor will have to pay the total price of the jewellery if she does not return the items. (Bernama pic)
KUALA LUMPUR:
Lebanese jewellery firm Global Royalty Trading SAL will refile a suit against Rosmah Mansor to seek damages for 43 pieces of jewellery worth US$14.57 million (RM61 million) allegedly still in the possession of the former prime minister’s wife.

This was disclosed by the firm’s counsel, David Gurupatham, after case management before High Court judge Muhammad Jamil Hussin today.

“We have filed an affidavit to confirm that after an inspection by a Global Royalty representative from Oct 25 to Nov 3 at the Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) vault, only one diamond bracelet belonging to Global Royalty was found from 44 pieces of jewellery which were claimed by Datin Seri Rosmah.

“Previously, we withdrew the civil suit filed against her in 2019 because we needed to confirm if the 44 jewellery pieces were still in the vault. So we will refile the civil suit because we believe 43 pieces of jewellery are still in her custody,” he said.

Gurupatham said based on the consignment memorandum, Rosmah would have to pay the total price of the jewellery if she did not return it to Global Royalty.

The jewellery were among various items seized by police from the premises belonging to Obyu Holdings Sdn Bhd at Pavilion Residences in May 2018, which were allegedly linked to the 1MDB financial scandal.

Gurupatham said the court has fixed May 23 to 27 next year for the hearing of claims for forfeiture of other items seized at the Obyu Holdings premises, including jewellery, watches and handbags as well as spectacles.

“It also includes a diamond bracelet worth US$220,000 (RM980,800) belonging to Global Royalty, which was found during an inspection at BNM,” he said.

Deputy public prosecutor Faten Hadni Khairuddin confirmed the date.

In 2019, the prosecution had filed a forfeiture application against Obyu Holdings to seize various items including 11,991 units of jewellery, 401 watch straps and 16 watch accessories, 234 pairs of spectacles and 306 handbags as well as cash in various denominations amounting to RM114,164,393.44.

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