Malaysia’s 1MDB sues ex-PM Najib Razak’s wife over US$346 million of luxury goods

The companies including SRC International Sdn Bhd are asking Rosmah Mansor to give up the luxury goods in her possession and pay US$346 million, or a sum determined by the court, according to a May 9 court filing.

Funds were channelled from six of the 11 plaintiffs through various offshore entities “before being paid out to 48 different vendors based in no less than 14 jurisdictions” for the purchases of the luxury goods, according to the filing. The various offshore entities include the other five plaintiffs.

About 320 payments totalling over US$346 million were made, they said, adding that the luxury goods included thousands of items of jewellery, watches and handbags.

Shabnam Naraindas Daswani was named as a second defendant, according to the filing. The latter allegedly procured luxury goods on behalf of Rosmah.

The Edge newspaper cited Rosmah’s lawyers as saying they have not received a statement of claim, and had only got a copy of the writ.

Shortly after his downfall, police seized about 1.1 billion ringgit (US$232 million) worth of items in raids linked to the former leader and his wife. He and Rosmah have denied wrongdoing but still face trials for multiple criminal charges related to the troubled state fund.