Rosmah given a week to check, confirm 44 pieces of jewellery

KUALA LUMPUR: Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor has been ordered by the High Court to check and confirm in seven days the existence of 44 units of jewellery worth US$14.79mil, or almost RM60mil in her possession, which were allegedly confiscated by police.

Counsel Datuk David Gurupatham, who is acting for Lebanese company Global Royalty Trading SAL, said the order was issued by Judicial Commissioner Wong Chee Lin after case management of a suit in her chambers yesterday.

Gurupatham said Rosmah, wife of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, has to prove the whereabouts of all the jewellery concerned. His client was not required to do so.

“The court agreed with our argument that the trial will be held regardless of whether the jewellery were in police keeping or not, as she had confirmed and signed for the consignment of the jewellery,” he said.

The lawyer said the court also ordered all parties to furnish all documents used for the hearing set on March 4 and 5.

On June 26, 2018, Global Royalty as the plaintiff filed a suit against Rosmah as defendant to demand the return of 44 units of jewellery sent to her, or pay the price for all the items amounting to US$14.79mil or almost RM60mil.

In its statement of claim, international jewellery wholesaler Global Royalty said Rosmah was a long-time regular customer.

The firm would send her jewellery consignments as requested by her. Rosmah would personally assess or purchase the jewellery of her choice, or buy them through a third party.

The company, which supplies jewellery to royalty as well as renowned customers from all over the world, alleged that in certain circumstances, Rosmah would borrow several pieces and return them to the plaintiff.

Global Royalty claimed on Feb 10, 2018, two of its agents hand-carried 44 pieces of jewellery including diamond necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets and tiaras to Rosmah.

The company said during the delivery, Rosmah confirmed and accepted the terms as well as conditions in Memorandum No. 926 relating to the jewellery.

The company alleged that Rosmah in a letter dated May 22, 2018 also confirmed and acknowledged receiving the jewellery concerned but said all the jewellery were no longer in her possession, and they have been confiscated and are now being kept by the Malaysian authorities.

Global Royalty sought the court to declare the firm was the owner of the 44 pieces of jewellery apart from the order that ownership of the jewellery was not transferred to the defendant. — Bernama