AGC won't appeal against court ruling to return luxury items to Najib-Rosmah

The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) has confirmed that it is not appealing against the High Court ruling to return RM80 million worth of jewellery, luxury watches and designer handbags confiscated from Pavilion Residences on May 17, 2018 to Najib Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor.

Attorney-General Idrus Harun, when contacted by Bernama, said the AGC was not appealing against the decision of judge Muhammad Jamil Hussin on Nov 14.

"The AGC is not appealing against the decision of the learned judge as we agree with His Lordship’s decision," he said in a WhatsApp message. 

On Nov 14, Jamil ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove that the items confiscated by the police at Pavilion Residence were obtained through the misappropriation of 1MDB funds.

The judge also rejected the prosecution's request to stay the execution of the decision pending an appeal to be filed and decided by the Court of Appeal.

The former prime minister and his wife were third parties in the prosecution's application as the plaintiff to forfeit the right to the items. 

Any third party who claims to have an interest in the confiscated goods can appear in court to argue why they should not be forfeited to the government.

In 2019, the prosecution filed a forfeiture application against Obyu Holdings to forfeit the 2,435 pieces of jewellery, seven luxury watches and 29 designer handbags and cash amounting to RM114,164,393.44 allegedly belonging to Umno and Najib. However, the government failed to forfeit the money.

The items, alleged to be proceeds of illegal activities linked to the 1MDB fund scandal, were confiscated under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

The jewellery and handbags allegedly belonged to Rosmah and the watches to Najib.