KUALA LUMPUR – Putrajaya has lost its bid to forfeit more than RM114 million in cash seized by police from Pavilion Residences, with the sum believed linked to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal, after the prosecution failed to prove that the monies may have been laundered from the sovereign fund.
Judge Muhammad Jamil Hussin today said the Attorney-General’s Chambers also failed to prove that the seized sum was obtained from a criminal breach of trust offence, reported Free Malaysia Today.
However, he did not make a ruling on the return of the RM114,164,393.44, as well as jewellery and luxury fashion items.
“Statements recorded from witnesses only mentioned that they spent money they received from an Ambank account, but nothing was mentioned about exchanging Malaysian ringgit for other currencies,” he was quoted as saying.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Saifuddin Hashim Musaimi said the prosecution will appeal against the court decision.
He said the authorities are unable to determine to whom the funds, currently held at Bank Negara Malaysia, should be returned.
The judge then said the court has no power to make consequential orders when the prosecution sought a temporary stay order on the seized monies.
“There is nothing to stay”, and the “interim stay is dismissed”, said Jamil.
The RM114 million was seized after the 2018 general election, and part of RM680 million in cash, jewellery and other assets confiscated from Pavilion Residences units owned by Obyu Holdings Sdn Bhd.
Obyu Holdings is the respondent in today’s case, although third-party claimants, such as former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Umno, are seeking to strike out the forfeiture bid.
Just 10 days after Pakatan Harapan took federal power on May 9, 2018, Malaysians witnessed police removing dozens of orange boxes containing luxury items and luggage with cash in various currencies from the upscale condominium.
Among the seized items are 284 handbags and 72 suitcases filled with cash and valuables.
It was reported that the seizure was part of the investigation into the massive 1MDB fraud.
Then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad reopened the probe after the 2018 polls. – The Vibes, May 20, 2021
