LEBANESE jeweller Samer Halimeh is unsure of even seeing a sen from the jewellery worth RM60 million allegedly handed to Rosmah Mansor because the valuables could be confiscated if the self-styled first lady did not pay any tax on it.
In his affidavit in the suit against Rosmah, Halimeh stated the jewellery was delivered to Rosmah outside Malaysia and that he had no control over where Rosmah transported the jewellery.
“Whether or not the defendant (Rosmah) had complied with the laws of Malaysia, for example, Customs Act 1967, is an issue to be decided,” Halimeh said in an affidavit sighted by The Malaysian Insight
“In the event the defendant failed to comply with such laws, the jewellery may be subject to seizure, which again interferes with the plaintiff’s rights and title over the jewellery,” said Halimeh, who runs Global Royalty Trading SAL.
The jeweller is suing Rosmah after a consignment of 44 pieces of jewellerycomprising a tiara, diamond necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings sent to her were seized in government raids in May.
Each item costs between US$124,000 and US$925,000 with a total value of US$14.8 million (RM60 million).
In the statement of claim, Halimeh said the jewellery would be delivered on a consignment basis to Rosmah at her request to evaluate, after which she would purchase the items.
The goods would be accompanied by a memorandum of delivery, describing the items and the price, together with terms and conditions.
The jewellery were delivered in three batches – in Dubai, Singapore and at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport transit area before the Customs checkpoint, said Halimeh’s lawyer, David Guraputham.
“They were taken by Rosmah’s people. This raises the issue of declarations, whether she declared the goods to Customs. How it went through and whether it contravened any law will need to be determined at a trial,” he said.
The jewellery were allegedly from Halimeh’s boutique in Knightsbridge, London.
Rosmah, 66, has denied purchasing jewellery from the Lebanese firm.
She filed an application to strike out the suit on grounds that Halimeh cannot claim money through the civil court without the consent of the attorney-general, citing anti-money laundering laws.
The application will be heard by justice Wong Chee Lin on October 14.
Halimeh, whose celebrity clients include Oprah Winfrey and Angelina Jolie, has outlets in New York, London, Cannes and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. An outlet in Kuala Lumpur has been shuttered.
Another jeweller, Dubai-based Adi Hasan AlFardan Jewellery, is seeking the return of three pieces of jewellery delivered to Rosmah between January and April this year.
Owner Adi AlFardan sent a recovery letter in July to Bukit Aman seeking return of the jewellery worth more than US$5 million, including two necklaces that comprise dozens of yellow diamonds.
Police raided premises linked to Najib in May, just days after Pakatan Harapan won federal power and formed the new government.
The authorities seized 12,000 pieces of jewellery, 567 handbags, 423 watches and 234 sunglasses. The haul, the biggest in Malaysia’s history, was valued at RM1.1 billion.
THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT
where were the authorities concern and what action did they take.
ReplyDeleteNobody in Malaysia can shake this fat lady Rosmah for fear that her 'no backbone' stupid husband Najib would punish them. Najib was then the PM of Malaysia and currently is known as the world's no.1 kleptocrate.
ReplyDeleteGood work Kamal
ReplyDeleteIt's a messy issue from day one.
ReplyDeleteCommoners will have difficulty to comprehend the transactions n court proceedings.
One thing is certain, Pn Sri Ros is in deep trouble.
Can she escape the forbidden gardens in Sg Buloh !!!
Let's wait n see the outcome .