Court to hear Rosmah's bid to strike out RM60mil lawsuit on Oct 11

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court has fixed Oct 11 to hear an application by former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor to strike out a suit by a Lebanese jeweller for the payment or return of 44 pieces of jewellery worth about RM60mil.

Rosmah's lawyer Datuk Geethan Ram Vincent told reporters Friday (July 27) that High Court deputy registrar Siti Faraziana Zainuddin set the date in chambers in the presence of both parties.

Geethan said they filed the application on the grounds that the jewelleries were not with his client as the items were with the authorities.

He also said the court would hear the application for intervene by the Government the same day.

Beirut-based company Global Royalty Trading SAL has named Rosmah as the sole defendant in its lawsuit.

It filed the suit against Rosmah at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on June 26 through Messrs David Gurupatham and Koay.

In its statement of claim, the company said Rosmah was a "long-standing customer of the plaintiff".

The company alleged that the jewellery was sent via consignment to Rosmah upon her request.

She would then evaluate and buy the items for herself or through a third party.

Global Royalty Trading said Rosmah would return the remaining consignment that was not chosen by her.

The plaintiff said on Feb 10 this year via a memorandum of delivery No 926, salesperson/agent Samer Halimeh and/or Maen Shakhshir had delivered 44 pieces of jewellery worth about RM59.8mil (US$14.8mil).

The company said among the pieces were a diamond cushion ring worth US$925,000, two fancy diamond necklaces and earrings worth US$670,000; and a fancy diamond necklace and earrings worth US$586,000.

It claimed that Rosmah confirmed and acknowledged receiving the jewellery via a letter dated May 22.

The company is seeking an order that Rosmah confirms the list of the sealed items and a mandatory order for the return of the jewellery.

Alternatively, the company said if the jewellery or any of the pieces cannot be claimed back by the plaintiff, the defendant is responsible to pay back the costs of the items.