The High Court will decide in January next year on an application by 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and 10 other companies seeking to freeze Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor’s assets while their US$346 million lawsuit against her is being heard.
Judicial Commissioner Adam @ Edward Abdullah fixed January 7 for the hearing and decision on the plaintiffs’ application for a Mareva injunction during case management today.
A Mareva injunction is a court order that prevents a defendant from disposing of, transferring or otherwise dealing with their assets while legal proceedings are ongoing.
Rosmah was represented by lawyer Sheena Stephanie Sebastian, while Henna Nikita Sanghvi appeared for 1MDB.
The application was filed by 1MDB and five of its subsidiaries — 1MDB Energy Holdings Limited, 1MDB Energy Limited, 1MDB Energy (Langat) Limited, Global Diversified Investment Company Limited and SRC International Sdn Bhd.
Five other companies are also named as plaintiffs: Affinity Equity International Partners Limited, Alsen Chance Holdings Limited, Blackrock Commodities (Global) Limited, Blackstone Asia Real Estate Partners Limited and Brightstone Jewellery Limited.
The companies filed the lawsuit against Rosmah and Singaporean designer Shabnam, also known as Natasha Mirpuri, on May 9, 2024.
However, the plaintiffs withdrew their claim against Shabnam in April last year.
The plaintiffs are seeking an order requiring Rosmah to pay US$346,010,489, or another amount determined by the court, over allegations involving the purchase of luxury items said to have been funded with misappropriated 1MDB funds.
They are also seeking declarations that the first to sixth plaintiffs are the rightful owners of the luxury items, which they claim remain in Rosmah’s possession.
The Mareva injunction application is intended to prevent Rosmah from dealing with her assets while the lawsuit is pending.
