Rosmah Denies Failing To Return Jewellery To Lebanese Jeweller

KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 (Bernama) -- Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor has denied allegations that she failed, neglected or refused to return more than 40 missing pieces of jewellery to Lebanese jeweller Global Royalty Trading SAL.

Testifying at the High Court here today, the wife of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said that, at all material times, she had exercised due care and prudence in safeguarding the jewellery with the intention of returning it to the managing director of Global Royalty, Samer Hassib Halimeh, upon his request, in the same condition it was received.

However, she said the items could not be returned following the raid by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), during which the jewellery, along with other valuables belonging to her and her family, were seized.

“On May 17, 2018, the PDRM carried out a raid on the Pavilion Residences and seized all of our family’s valuables, including the 44 pieces of jewellery.

“After the raid, I no longer retained custody, control and care over the 44 pieces of jewellery as they were seized by PDRM,” she said when questioned by her counsel, Reza Rahim.

Rosmah, 75, the defendant in the case, said this during the hearing of the USD14.57 million lawsuit filed by Global Royalty against her over the loss of more than 40 pieces of jewellery before Judge Datuk Quay Chew Soon. The Malaysian Government and police were third parties in this suit.

According to Rosmah, the jewellery was delivered to her for two purposes - firstly, for her inspection and viewing, with the expectation that she might purchase them and secondly, to enable her to wear or use the items so as to generate publicity and enhance their credibility among local and foreign dignitaries and elites, thereby benefiting the plaintiff as a form of promotion for the jewellery.

“The 44 pieces of jewellery were delivered to me for Samer or the plaintiff’s (Global Royalty) own benefit and as a form of promotion in relation to the jewellery,” she said, adding that the items were not accompanied by any document when they were delivered to her.

Rosmah said she did not have an opportunity to wear or use the jewellery as it was the General Election year in 2018 and she was busy assisting her husband in campaigning for the election.

“The jewellery was placed in a bag by my butler and the bag was safely kept and stored under lock and key at all times with the intention to be returned to Samer upon demand, in the same or any condition as I had received it,” she said.

Earlier, Samer, 50, testified that after signing the memorandum acknowledging receipt of the 44 pieces of jewellery, Rosmah did not arrange any payment for it.

He said, by a letter dated May 22, 2018, the defendant represented that the jewellery had been seized by Malaysian authorities. 

“Global Royalty issued a formal Letter of Demand, dated June 1, 2018, requiring either the return of the jewellery or payment of its value pursuant to the express consignment terms. However, no payment was made by the defendant, and the jewellery was not returned,” he said.

When questioned by his counsel Datuk David Gurupatham, Samer said that on June 26, 2018, the company filed a civil suit against the defendant over the 44 items delivered.

He said Rosmah, in her defence, admitted receiving all 44 items but claimed those items had been seized by Malaysian authorities and were in the possession, custody and control of the Royal Malaysian Police.

Samer added that the Government of Malaysia, in an affidavit in reply, affirmed by Supt Foo Wei Min on August 28, 2019, verified that only one of the 44 items was in the possession, custody and control of the police.

On March 29, 2023, Global Royalty sued Rosmah, claiming she had lied that 44 pieces of jewellery, including diamond necklaces, bracelets, and tiaras, sent to her by the company's agent, were 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 continues tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA