Feud over bling
Jeweller: Giving her a consignment is normal
The jeweller wants its precious RM60mil goods back. Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor insists the jewels are no longer with her, while police stress procedure must be followed. The fight over the jewellery unfolds as Malaysia discusses with the Swiss AG to return its 1MDB-linked funds.
Jewellery only for viewing, none was purchased.
> Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor
Return the jewellery to Rosmah, let her give it back to Global Royalty.
> Datuk Lokman Noor Adam
Police have yet to receive any application from Rosmah to reclaim the jewellery.
It is her right to reclaim but laws and proper procedures must be followed.
> Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun
PETALING JAYA: A high-class international jewellery supplier, who has an exclusive list of clientele, has claimed that Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor is its “long-standing” customer.
But Global Royalty Trading SAL, a jewellery firm based in Beirut, Lebanon, is now suing her over a consignment of “missing” jewellery.
It is seeking a mandatory order for the 44 jewellery, amounting to US$14,787,770 ( RM59,831,317.40), to be returned.
Checks showed Global Royalty is an established international jeweller, supplying fine jewellery to royalty and wealthy customers around the world.
The firm said it has been customary over the years to deliver jewellery to Rosmah on a “consignment basis” at her request.
It alleged that the jewellery delivered to the wife of former premier Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was for her to evaluate and thereafter purchase those she selected.
The firm claimed Rosmah would issue payment on her own capacity or via third parties for jewellery she selected, while the balance pieces would be returned.
“The defendant (Rosmah) would personally receive the jewellery herself and/or via her representatives/agents in Kuala Lumpur, Dubai or Singapore.
“This was the natural course of all transactions between the plantiff (Global Royalty) and the defendant. All dealings were done with vide the plaintiff ’s representative and/or salesperson,” the statement of claim read.
Global Royalty alleged it delivered 44 pieces of jewellery worth around RM60mil to Rosmah in February.
On June 26, the firm filed a suit against Rosmah at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, naming her as the sole defendant through Messrs David Gurupatham and Koay.
In its statement of claim, Global Royalty referred to its memorandum no. 926 dated Feb 10, that it had through its salesperson/agent Samer Halimeh and/or Maen Shakhsir, delivered the jewellery by hand to Rosmah.
Among the priciest items is a diamond cushion ring at US$925,000 (RM3.7mil). The ring consists of a 16.5-carat fancy greenish blue diamond with a VVS2 grade certified by the Gemological Institute of America.
The least expensive is a pair of fancy diamond earrings with 64 diamonds, weighing 31.96 carats, worth US$ 124,000 (RM501,704).
The firm claimed that Rosmah confirmed the receipt of the 44 items in a letter dated May 22.
This was several days after police raided the residences and offices related to Najib, beginning May 16.
On June 27, the police told a press conference that the cash, jewellery, luxury handbags, watches and sunglasses seized from premises linked to Najib are worth up to RM1.1bil.
“The defendant confirmed in writing that the said goods (jewellery) consigned to her were no longer in her possession but were in fact seized by the Malaysian authorities and is currently in their custody,” the statement of claim said.
It added that the memorandum of delivery contained terms and conditions, being the delivery and return of the jewellery and the title to jewellery remains the sole and exclusive property of Global Royalty.
Global Royalty is seeking a declaration from the High Court that it is the lawful owner of the 44 items.
It is also seeking an order that the defendant would give the confirmed list of the seized items and a mandatory order that the jewellery be returned to the firm.
Alternatively, Global Royalty said if the items may not be recoverable or unrecoverable in full or in part, Rosmah will be held liable to pay the full cost.
The payment is to be made together with interest at the prescribed rate of 8% per annum from the date of filing to the date of recovery.