KUALA LUMPUR: A collection of 44 pieces of jewelleries worth RM67.5mil were sent to Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor in the hopes that they would be purchased or worn by the wife of the former prime minister for publicity, the High Court heard.
Rosmah said in her witness statement that the jewelleries were sent for her consideration by one Samer Halimeh, managing director of jeweller company Global Royalty Trading SAL, sometime in 2018.
She is testifying in a lawsuit filed by Global Royalty, who is suing her for the return of 43 out of the 44 pieces, or the compensation of RM67.5mil.
Rosmah said the jewelleries were delivered to her without her requesting for them as the intention was for her to wear or use them to attract publicity and credibility amongst local and foreign dignitaries and elites.
"As far as I can remember, I did not have an opportunity to wear or use the jewelleries as it was the general elections in 2018 and I was busy assisting my husband in campaigning for the elections.
"I had no intention of using the jewelleries and I only kept the jewelleries so as to not offend Samer as he was introduced to me by the (former) second wife of the Sultan of Brunei," she said here on Monday (April 13).
Rosmah said the jewelleries were kept under "lock and key" at all times with the intention to return to Samer.
In May 2018, the ruling party led by Rosmah's husband Datuk Seri Najib Razak lost the elections and he had to step down as the prime minister.
"Consequently, we as a family were directed to vacate the Seri Perdana Complex, the official residence of the Prime Minister of Malaysia as soon as possible," she said.
Rosmah and her family then moved and transferred all goods, souvenirs and gifts to Pavilion Residences, including the 44 pieces of jewellery.
Subsequently, on May 17, 2018, the police carried out a raid at her new place in Pavilion, seizing all family valuables including the jewelleries.
"Therefore after the raid I no longer retain custody, control or care over the 44 pieces as the jewelleries were seized by the police," Rosmah said.
She denied the plaintiff's claims that she had failed, neglected or omitted to return the jewelleries.
Any loss or damage sustained by the plaintiff, if proven, was wholly caused by the negligence or default of the police who were responsible for the raid, she added.
Global Royalty filed the suit on May 29, 2023, claiming that Rosmah falsely alleged that 44 pieces of jewellery, including diamond necklaces, bracelets, and tiaras sent to her by the company's agent, were seized by Malaysian authorities under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
The jeweller claimed only one out of the 44 pieces was retained by the police.
It further claimed that Rosmah had shifted the blame onto the Malaysian government when in fact, the jewellery had gone missing.
The hearing continues tomorrow before Justice Quay Chew Soon.
