KUALA LUMPUR – Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor has yet to receive a writ of summons, said her lawyers after news surfaced that jewellery firm Global Royalty Trading SAL is suing her to seek damages for 43 pieces of jewellery valued at US$14.57 million (RM64.11 million).
A spokesman with Reza Rahim & Rajivan told Getaran that while Rosmah is ready to stand her ground in court, she has yet to receive the writ and statement of claim from the Lebanese company.
He added that Global Royalty Trading had filed a similar suit several years ago but withdrew soon after.
“Based on this, the media should not speculate or publish such reports as it can be considered as sub judice.”
Yesterday, it was reported that Global Royalty Trading claimed that Rosmah violated the contract involving 43 pieces of jewellery sent to her five years ago.
Global Royalty Trading filed the suit as the plaintiff through Messrs David Gurupatham and Koay at the high court here on March 29, naming the wife of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak as the sole defendant.
In its statement of claim, Global Royalty claimed that Rosmah, 71, had lied in her affidavit and statement of defence by saying that 44 pieces of jewellery, including diamond necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets, and tiaras sent to her by the company’s agent were seized by the Malaysian authorities for offences under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
The company said this was because only one of the 44 pieces of jewellery was kept by police and the remaining 43 pieces were not in the custody of the authorities.
“Therefore, the defendant failed and was negligent to return to the plaintiff the remaining 43 pieces of jewellery amounting to US$14.57 million, which were sent to the defendant on February 10, 2018,” it said.
“However, in the company’s efforts to recover all 44 pieces of jewellery, only one of them could be identified and retrieved from the government by the representative appointed by the plaintiff...that is the diamond emerald bracelet.”
The company is seeking a mandatory order for the jewellery to be returned to the plaintiff in good condition within 14 days from the date of judgement, failing which the defendant shall pay the plaintiff damages of US$14,567,270, besides interest, costs, and other relief deemed fit by the court. – The Vibes, April 18, 2023
