AGC not appealing against High Court ruling to return luxury items to Najib, Rosmah

KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) on Wednesday (Nov 30) confirmed that it is not appealing against the High Court ruling to return to Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor the RM80mil worth of jewellery, luxury watches and designer handbags that were confiscated from Pavilion Residences here on May 17, 2018.

Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun, when contacted by Bernama, said AGC was not appealing against the decision of Judge Muhammad Jamil Hussin on Nov 14, 2022.

"Yes, AGC is not appealing against the decision of the learned judge as we agree with His Lordship’s decision,” said Idrus via a WhatsApp message.

On Nov 14, judge Muhammad Jamil ruled that the prosecution failed to prove that all the items confiscated by police at Pavilion Residences, which was owned by Obyu Holdings Sdn Bhd, were obtained through the misappropriation of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) funds.

The judge also rejected the prosecution's request to stay the execution of the decision pending an appeal to be filed and decided by the Court of Appeal.

The former prime minister and his wife are third parties in the prosecution's application as the plaintiff to forfeit the rights to the items. Any third party who claims to have an interest in the confiscated goods can appear in court to present reasons why they should not be forfeited to the government.

In 2019, the prosecution had filed a forfeiture application against Obyu Holdings to forfeit the 2,435 pieces of jewellery, seven luxury watches and 29 designer handbags and cash amounting to RM114,164,393.44 allegedly belonging to Umno and Najib. However, the government failed to forfeit the money.

The items, alleged to be proceeds of illegal activities linked to the 1MDB fund scandal, were confiscated under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA) 2001.

The jewellery and handbags allegedly belonged to Rosmah while the watches to Najib. - Bernama