Government seeks to intervene in jeweller’s suit against Rosmah
“The company maintains that we are the owners of all the items, and the ownership was not transferred to her”
(FMT) – Senior federal counsel Narkunavathy Sundareson says this is on grounds that the jewellery belongs to the government and was bought with stolen money.
A senior federal counsel says the government wants to intervene in the lawsuit filed by a high-end jewellery company from Lebanon against Rosmah Mansor over 44 pieces of jewellery reportedly seized by the authorities in raids linked to 1MDB.
Narkunavathy Sundareson, appearing for the Attorney-General’s Chambers in case management at the High Court registrar today, said they had only recently found out about the suit.
“We want to be party to it on grounds that the jewellery belongs to the government and was bought with stolen money,” she said.
She added that the court had ordered Rosmah to file her defence statement by July 23.
Lawyer Geethan Ram Vincent will be appearing for Rosmah in the proceeding later.
Earlier today, reports surfaced that Global Royalty Trading SAL had sued Rosmah for the return of the jewellery which included rings, necklaces, earrings and pendants.
The most expensive piece of jewellery listed in the lawsuit is a 16.5-carat cushion-cut diamond ring which costs US$925,000.
The company also loaned Rosmah a diamond tiara worth US$575,000.
Global Royalty reportedly filed the US$14.79 million (RM59.831 million) suit against the former prime minister’s wife at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on June 26.
“The items were sent to the defendant (Rosmah) in a consignment agreement that she would return the jewellery that she did not choose.
“Those items that she wished to buy would be paid for through a third agent or herself,” it said.
The company said Rosmah would receive the jewellery herself or through her agents in Dubai, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur.
It also claimed that she had acknowledged receipt of the 44 pieces of jewellery on May 22.
However, the items sent to Rosmah are reportedly no longer in her possession as they were seized by the authorities in May.
“The company maintains that we are the owners of all the items, and the ownership was not transferred to her,” Global Royalty said.
“There is a great risk that the jewellery will be forfeited or converted by third parties that are not related to the agreement between her and the company.”
Global Royalty is seeking a court declaration that it is the owner of all 44 pieces of jewellery. It also wants an order for Rosmah to return the items.
“Alternatively, if she cannot return all the jewellery, she is responsible for paying us the cost of the jewellery of US$14.8 million,” it said.
