Lebanese jeweller's suit against Rosmah to undergo full trial

Global Royalty Trading SAL failed in its application for summary judgment (ruling without full court trial) in its RM67.46 million lawsuit against Rosmah Mansor.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court today also ordered the Lebanese jeweller to pay RM75,000 in security for costs to the wife of incarcerated former prime minister, Najib Abdul Razak.

When contacted by the media, lawyers for both sides confirmed the civil court's ruling this morning.

Rosmah's lawyer Rajivan Nambiar said the court ruled that this case has issues that need to be ventilated via a full trial, thus, summary judgment is not suitable for the matter.

He added that the court also allowed Rosmah's security for costs bid at RM75,000.00.

Rajivan said this is with liberty to apply to vary the amount before trial once parties exchange documents or in the event experts are going to be called.

"Costs of RM75,000 are to be paid by Global Royalty into court one month from today," Rajivan said.

An order for security for costs protects a party - such as defendant Rosmah - against the risk that they will win at trial and be awarded their costs, but then not be able to enforce a costs order against the other (losing) party, either within the jurisdiction or abroad.

Global Royalty's counsel David Gurupatham confirmed the court’s ruling.

In April, Global Royalty refiled the RM67.46 million civil action against Rosmah over the allegation that the jewellery was sent to the defendant for viewing purposes.

Previously in 2019, the firm filed a suit for 44 pieces of jewellery worth US$14.79 million or almost RM60 million but withdrew it later, with the firm having secured the return of one of the items.

The present civil action is only over 43 jewellery pieces, as the Malaysian authorities have returned one of the pieces to Global Royalty.

Back in mid-2018 following the 14th general election, the police raided the Pavilion condominium in Kuala Lumpur where Najib and Rosmah were residing, and took away several items which included a jewellery piece from the Lebanese firm. - Mkini