1MDB case: Rosmah undertakes not to dispose of luxury items worth RM1.6 billion

KUALA LUMPUR - Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor has undertaken not to dispose of jewellery, handbags, watches, and luxury eyewear currently in her possession or control, which are claimed by 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Rosmah's lawyers, Reza Raim and Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, provided this undertaking to High Court Judge Adlin Abdul Majid today. The items in question are allegedly worth a total of US$346 million (RM1.6 billion).

During the online case management today, lawyer Lim Chee Wee, representing 1MDB, agreed to the undertaking while awaiting the hearing of a Mareva injunction application against Rosmah. The injunction aims to prevent her from disposing of or dealing with any of her assets.

A Mareva injunction is a temporary order preventing the defendant from disposing of assets until a decision is made in the case between the plaintiff and defendant.

Muhammad Shafee informed the court that they would file an application to strike out the lawsuit filed by 1MDB against Rosmah.

The court then set July 4 for the next case management.

The first to sixth plaintiffs in the case are 1MDB and its five subsidiaries, namely 1MDB Energy Holdings Limited, 1MDB Energy Limited, 1MDB Energy (Langat) Limited, Global Diversified Investment Company Limited, and SRC International Sdn Bhd.

Another five plaintiffs are Affinity Equity International Partners Limited, Alsen Chance Holdings Limited, Blackrock Commodities (Global) Limited, Blackstone Asia Real Estate Partners Limited, and Brightstone Jewellery Limited.

According to the statement of claim filed by 1MDB on June 4, Rosmah is accused of acquiring jewellery, handbags, and other luxury items worth over US$346 million (RM1.6 billion) from 48 different vendors in 14 countries.

The vendors are from the British Virgin Islands (one), Hong Kong (nine), India (four), Indonesia (two), Italy (three), Lebanon (three), Mauritius (one), Panama (one), Singapore (one), Thailand (two), the United Arab Emirates (seven), Turkiye (two), the United Kingdom (two), and the United States (seven), with three locations unknown.

1MDB and SRC claimed that eight offshore entities that received funds unrelated to or served no legitimate purpose with regard to investment objectives by the companies, namely Aabar Seychelles, Affinity Equity, Alsen Chance, Blackrock, Blackstone, Brightstone, Good Star Ltd and World Merit Management Ltd, acted as intermediaries to make payments for the luxury items.

All the plaintiffs are seeking, among other things, that Rosmah pays US$346,010,489 or an amount assessed by the court, apart from a declaration that the first to sixth plaintiffs have rights to the luxury items currently in Rosmah's possession. - BERNAMA