THE Kuala Lumpur High Court has allowed the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) application to forfeit RM4.9 million in funds linked to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) from children’s education fund Yayasan Permata Malaysia.

Lawyer Noraisah Spahat, who represents the foundation that has since been renamed to Yayasan Genius, told the court it has decided not to contest the government’s forfeiture bid.

Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah made the order after deputy public prosecutor Nik Haslinie Hashim informed the court that no third party has come forward to claim the fund.

Yayasan Permata was founded by Rosmah Mansor, wife of former prime minister Najib Razak.

No third party claims were also made to contest the forfeiture bids against former minister Kasitah Gaddam, Johor Umno, Sarawakian businessman Bustari Yusof, Selangor Umno, Sabah’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Jakel Trading Sdn Bhd, Media Edge CIA Sdn Bhd and Yayasan PBAKM.

Sequerah set hearing dates as follows: September 10 for Kasitah; October 4 for Johor Umno and Bustari; October 18 for Selangor Umno and LDP; October 25 for Jakel; November 1 for Media Edge and November 8 for Yayasan PBAKM.

The funds in question are part of the RM270 million that MACC is attempting to recover from 41 individuals and organisations, allegedly channelled from Najib’s account.

The MACC filed civil forfeiture applications in June to recover RM270 million of 1MDB-linked funds transferred to Najib’s account and later to 41 individuals and entities. – September 4, 2019.