THE Singapore law firm hired by Putrajaya to lead the country’s charge of reclaiming’s 1MDB funds frozen in the republic is deemed experts in the field of litigation, arbitration & dispute resolution.

The firm’s partner, Chelva Retnam Rajah, is ranked by Chambers and Partners as one of the region’s most in demand arbitrators (international) in the field of dispute resolution and is considered a “senior statesman of the Singapore legal scene”.

A senior Singapore lawyer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said it is likely that Chelva will lead the team representing Malaysia, due to his vast experience in the field.

“Being a high-profile case, it’s likely that the firm’s partner Chelva will be heading the team that represents Malaysia,” he said.

Chelva served as Singapore high commissioner to Papua New Guinea in 2008 and has worked on more than 80 domestic and/or international arbitrations.

According to Littleton Chambers where Chelva served as international arbitrator and associate tenant in 2017, he had past experience as a judicial commissioner of the High Court of Singapore and was also appointed as judge of the Qatar Financial Centre Civil and Commercial Court in 2012.

The Malaysian government appointed the firm as its solicitors to institute legal action against 53 individuals and companies to claim monies belonging to 1Malaysia Development Berhad.

Attorney-General Tommy Thomas approved the appointment of the firm, Tan Rajah & Cheah, early this week according to a source, Bernama reported yesterday.

Among the 53 defendants is Malaysian businessman Low Taek Jho or Jho Low. 

“Court orders are necessary to release the monies to 1MDB or the government of Malaysia,” the source said.

Malaysia has to appoint solicitors from Singapore to file the action because Malaysian lawyers cannot appear in Singapore courts.

On May 31, the 1MDB special task force, in a statement, said Singapore and Malaysia have agreed to collaborate to bring back the monies believed to have been embezzled from 1MDB. – July 19, 2018.