Court sets Jan 31 to hear Najib and family's notices to inspect seized items

The Kuala Lumpur High Court has fixed Jan 31 next year to hear the notices of motion of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, his wife Rosmah Mansor and their daughter Nooryana Najwa Mohd Najib to inspect and obtain particulars on items and properties seized by the police.

The seized items and properties are in connection with the 1MDB case.

Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan set the date during case management today, where the prosecution was represented by DPP Fatnin Yusof. 

Counsel Muhammad Farhan Muhammad Shafee represented Najib while Azamuddin Abd Aziz and Hasmadi Hussin acted for Rosmah and Nooryana Najwa.

The court ordered the applicants (Najib, Rosmah and Nooryana Najwa) to file in their supplementary affidavits on or before Nov 28 and their arguments by Dec 12.

On Oct 14, the prosecution agreed to provide picture copies of the 315 bags of various brands and cash in various currencies that were seized by the police from Najib and his family.

On July 18, Najib, 66, had filed a notice of motion to inspect and obtain particulars on the said assets.

In the notice of motion, Najib is seeking for the respondent to provide or supply colour pictures of the items, as well as their detailed descriptions, such as the label, symbol, gift card, package and box of the movable properties that were seized on May 17 last year.

The former premier had filed the application because parts of the boxes, handbags and containers that were seized had been removed from its original wrappings, and this has confused in their identification process.

Rosmah, 68, and Nooryana Najwa, 31, meanwhile, are seeking permission to physically inspect the items.

Among the items mentioned in both notices are 315 handbags of various brands, 14 watches and 27 pairs of shoes of various brands, as well as cash in various currencies, including RM537,000, 2,700 in Pound Sterling, RM187,750 in old Ringgit Malaysia, 2,870,000 Sri Lanka Rupee and 320,500 Pound Sterling notes.

Last May 30, the High Court allowed the prosecution to gazette a notice to any third party with interests on the assets seized from the former prime minister, his family, 13 others and several companies. 

The assets include hundreds of bags of various brands, cash in various currencies, watches and 27 cars.

The court allowed the prosecution's application under Section 56 and 61(2) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

Upon publication of the notice, any third party who claims to have any interest in the property will be required to appear before the court, or through their lawyer, on a specified date to show cause as to why the property should not be forfeited.

- Bernama