Rosmah fails to recuse judge in 1MDB, SRC’s US$346mil suit

 

1MDB, SRC International and nine other entities are suing Rosmah Mansor and another person for US$346 million in allegedly misappropriated funds. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: 

The High Court judge presiding in 1MDB and SRC International’s lawsuit against Rosmah Mansor and another defendant has refused to recuse herself from hearing the case.

Justice Adlin Abdul Majid said there is no real danger of bias in her presiding over the lawsuit.

“A judge’s previous employment cannot be a valid ground for recusal.

I reject the defendant’s (Rosmah) lawyers’ argument that there is a real danger of bias for me to continue solely on the fact that I was a partner in Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill, (the law firm) that represents 1MDB in a civil recovery case,

 she added.

Adlin also said she was never involved in the civil recovery case and had informed lawyers for 1MDB, SRC International and Rosmah about this fact during case management.

“I had asked the defendant’s counsel to seek her (Rosmah) instructions.

After three weeks, when I (asked) them what their stand was, they said they were still seeking instructions and (later) changed their minds, saying that they would file a recusal application,

 she said.

Adlin added the decision to apply for her recusal was made 

halfway during a case management

, showing how lightly the matter was treated.

The court ordered Rosmah to pay RM10,000 as costs to 1MDB, SRC International and their nine related companies.

The judge then fixed the suit for case management on Sept 20.

On June 11, 1MDB, SRC International and nine local and foreign entities linked to them filed a lawsuit against Rosmah and Shabnam Naraindas Daswani, a fashion designer, seeking to recover a total of US$346 million in allegedly misappropriated funds.

They claimed 1MDB and SRC International’s funds were wrongfully used to purchase multiple items, including jewellery and handbags.

They also claimed the funds were channelled to the recipients through various offshore companies.

Apart from the claimed sum, the plaintiffs are seeking general, aggravated and exemplary damages from the duo.

Lawyer Lim Chee Wee appeared for 1MDB, SRC International and the nine entities, while Rajan Navaratnam represented Rosmah. - FMT