Najib, Rosmah object to third party claims on seized assets

Former premier Najib Abdul Razak, his wife Rosmah Mansor (photo, above) and three of their children are objecting to claims made by third parties on properties seized from them last year.

According to lawyer Syahirah Hanafiah, they will be filing a notice of motion to the Kuala Lumpur High Court to request for details of the seized items which were confiscated during a series of raids carried out by authorities conducting investigations into 1MDB-related cases.

"The case management today was basically over the matter regarding the list (of seized items). And to get direction from Justice Mohamed Zaini (Mazlan).

"However, we objected to one thing, which is on third-party claims (on the items).

"Because for the first respondent, Najib, basically the items seized were his properties.

"So we are objecting to it because the things belong to our client," she said when met at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex this morning.

Syahirah spoke to Malaysiakini after case management on the matter was completed before Deputy Registrar Catherine Nicholas.

Last month, the Attorney-General's Chambers filed a suit to forfeit hundreds of properties valued at millions of ringgit against a total of 19 individuals and companies.

Among the respondents named were Najib, Rosmah, and their children Riza Aziz, Nor Ashman and Nooryana Najwa, and Goh Gaik Ewe, the mother of 1MDB-linked businessperson Low Taek Jho.

The items being sought for forfeiture by the government include 27 vehicles, handbags, watches and cash in various foreign currencies, among others.

Following this, the High Court had also allowed an application by the government to publish a notice calling for any third parties with interest in the seized assets to file their claim.

List of seized assets important for respondents to file their claims

On the same matter, Syahirah added that she has also raised to the deputy registrar today on the necessity for respondents in the suit to obtain a detailed list of the seized assets.

"For the respondents to reply to claimant's (government) affidavit, they would need the details of the items that authorities had seized. Without the details, how can they file their claims?

"The claimant then told the court that since the seized items had already been filed with the court, the respondents will have to file a notice of motion to request for the list.

"The court and all parties involved had agreed to this, and thus we will have to file the notice with supporting affidavit in two weeks," she said.

[More to follow] - Mkini