Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor declared today that the High Court had confirmed the luxury items worth US$346 million taken from her home were not obtained illegally.
Rosmah, wife of ex-Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, pointed out that a 2022 court ruling found no evidence linking the items seized during a police raid on a Pavilion Residences apartment to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
The raid on May 17, 2018, targeted an apartment owned by OBYU Holdings just after Najib's party, Barisan Nasional, lost the general election.
In her defense against 1MDB's lawsuit, Rosmah argued that the principle of res judicata, which prevents the same issue from being tried again, applies to this case. Rosmah and Singaporean designer Shabnam Naraindas Daswani, also known as Natasha Mirpuri, are being sued by 1MDB. The company claims US$346,010,498 was paid to 48 vendors in 14 countries between 2010 and 2014.
Rosmah's defense stated that 1MDB has not specified which luxury items she allegedly received, accusing the plaintiffs of "fishing for evidence" after starting the lawsuit.
On November 14, 2022, High Court Judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin dismissed the government's attempt to forfeit RM80 million in luxury items belonging to Najib and Rosmah. These items included 2,435 pieces of jewelry, seven Richard Mille watches, and 29 handbags, all seized from OBYU Holdings' condominium. The government decided not to appeal Jamil's decision.
In this lawsuit, 1MDB claims its funds, meant for investments, were instead used to buy luxury items. The funds allegedly passed through offshore entities and bank accounts controlled by individuals, including Najib and his associates. 1MDB seeks a court order for Rosmah to repay US$346,010,489, or an amount determined by the court, along with damages or fair compensation.
On May 10, 2022, 1MDB filed 22 civil suits to recover RM96.6 billion in assets from various parties, including Najib. The Finance Ministry stated that six of these suits were filed by 1MDB and 16 by its former subsidiary, SRC International Sdn Bhd. These actions aim to recover assets worth over RM96.6 billion, including around RM300 million, from various local entities. The writs filed by 1MDB involve nine entities, including two foreign financial institutions and 25 individuals.
Rosmah's statement today aims to reinforce that the seized luxury items were legally acquired, as per the previous High Court ruling, and to challenge the ongoing litigation brought by 1MDB.
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