KUALA LUMPUR: The government has failed in its bid to forfeit items including jewellery, luxury watches and designer handbags seized by the police in a raid at Pavilion Residences in 2018.
This follows a decision by the High Court here dismissing the forfeiture suit filed by the government against Obyu Holdings Sdn Bhd, which owned the condominium where the raid took place.
ALSO READ: Seized jewellery, watches, handbags bought using 1MDB funds, says DPP
Justice Muhammad Jamil Hussin, said in his decision on Monday (Nov 14) that the prosecution had failed to show on the balance of probability that the assets were the proceeds from unlawful activity.
Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Umno are third-party claimants in the forfeiture suit involving Obyu Holdings.
Najib and Umno sought to stake a claim in the forfeiture suit involving cash and jewellery, among others, that were seized by the authorities.
ALSO READ: Umno files notice of discontinuance of appeal over recovery of RM116.7mil
In 2019, the prosecution filed the application to forfeit the seized assets that were allegedly linked to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) funds under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
In the notice of motion filed against Obyu Holdings, the items included 11,991 units of jewellery, 401 watches and 16 watch accessories, 234 pairs of eyewear and 306 handbags, as well as cash in various denominations amounting to RM114,164,393.44.
