Prosecution seeks to amend documents in RM31m 1MDB-linked forfeiture suit

The prosecution is seeking to amend typographical errors in two affidavits in support of the government’s 1MDB-linked RM31 million forfeiture suit against former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak and 17 others.

DPP Faten Hadni Khairuddin (above) said today the amendment bid is in relation to the affidavits filed by Assistant Commissioner R Rajagopal and Superintendent Foo Wei Min.

Rajagopal was the investigation officer (IO) for the alleged offence of criminal breach of trust (CBT) while Foo was the IO for the purported offence of money laundering, with both matters linked to the alleged 1MDB monies and items that the suit seeks to forfeit from Najib and 17 others.

“The applicant (prosecution) is proposing an amendment to the two affidavits due to typographical errors.

“The High Court has fixed Aug 14 for case management to update on whether the (18) respondents would raise any objection (to the amendment bid)," Faten told the media.

She was speaking after having attended case management of the matter in the High Court Registry in Kuala Lumpur.

Previously, it was reported that the hearing of the forfeiture suit against Najib and 17 others was fixed for Aug 24, before judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan.

Counsel Nur Syahirah Hanapiah appeared for Najib, who is the first-named respondent in the matter.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) filed the 1MDB-linked forfeiture suit against Najib and 17 other respondents, which comprised individuals and companies, on May 9 last year.

The legal action is over hundreds of items, including branded handbags and 27 vehicles, seized from the 18 respondents.

Najib was named as the first respondent, followed by his wife Rosmah Mansor, his stepson Riza Aziz, his son Nor Ashman Razak, and his daughter Nooryana Najwa, as the second, third, fourth and fifth respondents.

The other respondents are Mohd Kyizzad Mesran, Senijauhar Sdn Bhd, Aiman Ruslan, Yayasan Rakyat 1Malaysia, Yayasan Semesta, Yayasan Mustika Kasih, Rembulan Kembara Sdn Bhd, Goh Gaik Ewe (the mother of fugitive businessperson Low Taek Jho), former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng, lawyer Lim Hwee Bin, Kee Kok Thiam, Tan Vern Tact and Geh Choh Hun.

Kee, Tan and Geh are alleged associates of Low Taek Jho or Jho Low, who is a key figure in the 1MDB matter.

Among the valuables seized on May 17, 2018, and on June 11, 2018, were 52 branded handbags, 10 watches and cash in different denominations – RM187,750 in old notes, RM21,150 in new notes, £320,500 in old notes, £2,700 in new notes, US$100, €20, S$40, 2,870,000 Sri Lanka rupees, 13,177,00 rupiah, 376 hryvnias (Ukrainian currency), 50 francs, 10 rands, 531 riyals, and 740 Philippine pesos.

Also seized on the same day were four branded watches, 171 branded handbags and 27 pairs of expensive shoes, while 40 luxury handbags were confiscated on June 11, 2018.

Also, 27 Nissan Urvan vehicles were seized on Aug 2, 2018.

In addition, money amounting to more than RM18 million in accounts with Bank Islam, Al-Rajhi Bank, Maybank, CIMB Bank, RHB Bank, Public Bank, AmBank and Hong Leong Bank have been frozen between Aug 16, 2018, and March 11, 2019.

Also seized was a property in Tanjong Bungah, Penang, belonging to the 13th respondent, Jho Low's mother, on Jan 17 last year. - Mkini