Jho Low has yet to file challenge to Equanimity seizure

Following last week’s arrival of the US$250 million (RM1 billion) vessel Equanimity after its handover by Indonesian authorities, there has yet been any court challenge to its seizure as of yesterday.

This follows a court file search conducted by Malaysiakini with the case slated to come up again today at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

The vessel arrived in Malaysia following the arrest warrant issued by the Admiralty High Court on Aug 7.

Fugitive Jho Low, who is said to own the luxurious yacht, claimed the seizure was illegal.

However, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and attorney-general Tommy Thomas have both maintained that the seizure was legal and done according to admiralty laws. They asked Jho Low to challenge it in court if he wants to stake his claim over the superyacht.

Thomas also indicated the possibility of the vessel being liquidated and its proceeds kept in a fixed deposit as the purchase was done using from funds allegedly from 1MDB.

1MDB and two of its subsidiaries - 1MDB Energy Holdings Ltd and 1MDB Global Investment Ltd - as well as the Malaysian government who are the plaintiffs to the case, had named the owner of the Equanimity based in the Cayman Islands as defendant in the case.

A letter issued by the sheriff or deputy registrar of the High Court Mohd Sanity Suhaimee yesterday, which was sighted by Malaysiakini, stipulated that Marine and Offshore Solution Sdn Bhd has been appointed by the court as "ship chandlers" for the duration of the vessel is here until it is sold off.

A ship chandler is a retail dealer specialising in supplies and equipment for ships.

It remains uncertain what is expected in today’s court proceedings on the Equanimity case.

[More to follow] -Mkini