The Kuala Lumpur High Court postponed to Dec 14 today’s initially scheduled case management for any third party to stake a claim in assets sought in a 1MDB-linked forfeiture suit against former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak and 17 others.
Najib’s counsel Nur Syahirah Hanapiah confirmed this after today’s case management was vacated before High Court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan due to the extension of the conditional movement control order (MCO).
“Yes, (today’s case management for any third party to attend court) had to be postponed due to the conditional MCO. The court had called and discussed with parties (about today’s postponement).
“The respondents and the court agreed for the case management to instead be on Dec 14 as that is the common date (available to both the prosecution and all 18 respondents in the forfeiture suit).
“If no third parties come (to court) on Dec 14, then the judge can fix a hearing date for the main forfeiture suit,” Nur Syahirah told Malaysiakini.
On Nov 3, it was reported that the court had fixed today for case management for any interested third parties seeking to claim the property comprising hundreds of handbags of various brands, cash, watches and 27 cars that were seized and are the subject matter of the forfeiture suit.
On Nov 7, it was reported that the conditional MCO for Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya was extended to Dec 6.
On May 8 last year, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) filed the 1MDB-linked forfeiture suit against Najib and 17 others comprising individuals and companies.
The legal action involves hundreds of items including luxury 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 others 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, 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 Lankan 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 high-end handbags, and 27 pairs of shoes while 40 luxury handbags were confiscated on June 11, 2018.
On Aug 2, 2018, some 27 Nissan Urvan vehicles were also seized.
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 were frozen between Aug 16, 2018, and March 11, 2019.
A property in Tanjong Bungah, Penang, belonging to the 13th respondent, Low's mother, was also seized on Jan 17 last year. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.