Jewellery Seized During Pavilion Residences Raid Worth Over RM443 Million - Witness

KUALA LUMPUR, April 14 (Bernama) -- The High Court was told today that 12,009 pieces of jewellery seized from the Pavilion Residences condominium unit in May 2018 were valued at over RM443 million.

ACP Foo Wei Min, 51, from the anti-money laundering (AMLA) unit at Bukit Aman, said based on the assessment and valuation carried out by commercial crime investigator, DSP Yeap Yoke Peng, with the assistance of jewellery experts between May 30 and June 25, 2018, the total estimated value of the jewellery was RM443,319,206.90.

“The items were seized by the investigation team, and the prosecution subsequently filed an application for forfeiture of the assets.”

Foo said this when testifying in a civil suit involving USD14.57 million filed by Lebanon-based Global Royalty Trading SAL against the former prime minister’s wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, over the alleged loss of more than 40 pieces of jewellery during the raid on the condominium unit. 

The Inspector-General of Police and the Malaysian Government have been named as third parties in the suit.

Foo, who has served with the Royal Malaysia Police since October 2001, said a police team from the Commercial Crime Investigation Department raided the condominium unit on May 17, 2018, under a warrant linked to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) probe.

He said during the raid, various movable assets were seized, including 35 bags containing cash in multiple currencies, six bags of watches of various brands, and 25 bags filled with jewellery.

Also seized were three bags of assorted eyewear, a bag of wallets of various sizes and brands, and 284 boxes containing luxury handbags.

Foo, the fifth witness for the third parties, said prosecutors later filed forfeiture proceedings involving the seized items.

He added that Rosmah was also asked to assist in investigations into the confiscated assets, including the jewellery.

According to Foo, Rosmah said she had no knowledge of, nor had she instructed anyone to move items from her residence in Langgak Duta to Pavilion Residences.

“She also never claimed ownership of the items and said she could not identify them despite being shown clear photographs,” he said.

Foo further told the court that on April 26, 2022, the Attorney General ordered the return of 9,554 jewellery items to Rosmah and her husband, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The items were returned to their representative, Datuk Akbar Abdul Gafoor, from Messrs Azamuddin & Co on April 28 and 29, 2022. On Nov 14, 2022, the High Court dismissed the prosecution’s forfeiture application involving Obyu Holding Sdn Bhd.

Following that decision, a further 2,431 jewellery items were returned to Rosmah’s representative on Dec 9, 2022.

On March 29, 2023, Global Royalty filed a lawsuit against Rosmah, alleging she falsely claimed that 44 pieces of jewellery, including diamond necklaces, bracelets, and tiaras, sent to her by the company's agent, had been seized by the Malaysian authorities under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

The Beirut-based company claimed that only one of the 44 pieces of jewellery was retained by the police, and the remaining 43 pieces were not in their custody.

Global Royalty further asserted that Rosmah had shifted the responsibility to the Malaysian Government when, in fact, the jewellery had gone missing.

The hearing before High Court judge Quay Chew Soon continues tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA