KUALA LUMPUR: A light moment broke the tension at the High Court when Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor spontaneously said “Can I say something?” mid-way through the hearing of her jewellery lawsuit, drawing laughter from those in the room.
Rosmah was testifying in a multimillion-ringgit suit against her over a jewellery dispute when she made the remark yesterday.
The remark brought back memories of her infamous line: “Can I advise you something?”, made public in an audio clip from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in 2020 where she was supposedly having a conversation with her husband, then prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Her interjection came after many attempts to explain herself while being questioned by the lawyer for the plaintiff, Beirut-based jeweller Global Royalty Trading SAL.
Rosmah repeatedly attempted to justify her answers when questioned by the lawyer.
At one point, she said: “I’m thinking, I’m thinking, I’m thinking. Don’t interfere with my thoughts.”
In her witness statement, she said a collection of 44 pieces of jewellery worth RM67.5mil were sent to her by Samer Halimeh, managing director of Global Royalty Trading SAL, sometime in 2018.
Rosmah said the jewellery was delivered to her without her request as the intention was for her to wear or use them to attract publicity and credibility among local and foreign dignitaries and elites.
“As far as I can remember, I did not have the opportunity to wear or use the jewellery as it was the general election in 2018 and I was busy assisting my husband in campaigning.
“I had no intention of using the jewellery and I only kept them so as to not offend Samer as he was introduced to me by the (former) second wife of the Sultan of Brunei,” she said.
In May 2018, the ruling party led by Najib 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 jewellery.
She denied the plaintiff’s claims that she had failed, neglected or omitted to return the jewellery pieces.
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 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.
The hearing continues today before Justice Quay Chew Soon.
