‘Equanimity’ owner seeks clarification on US’ role in handover

KUALA LUMPUR: Lawyers representing Equanimity (Cayman) Ltd have sought clarification from the United States on whether it had a role in helping Malaysia get hold of the RM1 billion superyacht Equanimity.

Bloomberg reported that lawyers for businessman Low Taek Jho urged the US to explain why Malaysia thanked it profusely for helping to seize the yacht, after the US Department of Justice (DoJ) said it was not involved in turning over the vessel.

The lawyers, who represent the companies that hold title to the yacht, asked a federal judge in Los Angeles to order the DoJ to provide a “thorough clarification” whether US agencies or officials knew in advance or were involved in transferring the Equanimity to Malaysia.

The request was made through a court filing, dated Aug 9, made at the Central California District Court, where lawyers had been contesting a DoJ civil forfeiture suit against the yacht.

Bloomberg quoted a spokesman for the US Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles, Thom Mrozek, as saying on Aug 7 that the US was not a party to negotiations between Malaysia and Indonesia regarding the Equanimity.

However, Attorney-General Tommy Thomas issued a press release the same day saying Equanimity’s arrival in Port Klang on Tuesday was the result of mutual legal assistance treaties between Indonesia, Malaysia and the US.

The Equanimity was first seized by Indonesian authorities on Feb 28.