July and August dates set for Najib, Rosmah, Lebanese jeweller to inspect seized jewellery

KUALA LUMPUR (March 31): The High Court today has set July 12 to 16 and Aug 2 to 6 for Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak (pictured), his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor (pictured) and a renowned Lebanese jeweller to inspect and view close to 12,000 pieces of jewellery which were among items seized by the police at two residential units in Pavilion residences, Bukit Bintang, in May 2018.

The residences were owned by OBYU Holdings Sdn Bhd and were allegedly linked to the former prime minister and his wife.

Justice Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin had set the dates today after deputy public prosecutor Fatin Hadni Khairuddin had requested that the inspection be done after Hari Raya, which falls in May this year.

Representatives from Lebanese jewellery firm Global Royalty Trading SAL, which has an interest in 44 pieces of the jewellery, are also involved in inspecting the seized items. Renowned jeweller Sameer Halimeh, who is based overseas, is not able to come to Malaysia for the inspection due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.

However, today their lawyer Datuk David Gurupatham told the judge that while the government is still not allowing visitors from certain countries to enter Malaysia, a special pass will have to be obtained from the Ministry of Health and the Immigration department to allow the jeweller to come for the inspection.

Speaking to theedgemarkets.com after the case mention this morning, David informed that the inspection will likely go on even if the special pass for the jeweller is not granted by the Ministry.

“However, we will put in the necessary application early for the special pass and inform the court at the earliest possible date on the outcome. If more time is required, I am sure the court will balance everyone’s interest fairly as the learned judge has been doing so far,” he said.

The inspection will be conducted at Bank Negara Malaysia’s vault.

In March last year, the judge had allowed the Lebanese firm to physically inspect the 44 pieces of jewellery worth US$14.79 million (RM62.7 million).

The company claims Rosmah had ordered the jewellery for purchase but did not pay. Rosmah claims that it was sent to her for viewing purposes only.

Global Royalty claimed the jewellery it sent to Rosmah included a diamond necklace, earrings, rings, bracelets and a tiara, each worth between US$124,000 and US$925,000.

Among the items seized in the 2018 raid include 11,991 pieces of jewellery, 401 watches and 16 watch accessories, 234 pairs of eyewear and 306 handbags, as well as RM114.16 million in various foreign currencies.

The estimated value of all these items is approximately RM680 million.

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