THE cost of 284 handbags alone seized from luxury apartments linked to Najib Razak could run into the millions of ringgit especially if they include the Birkin bags by Hermes, which ranges in price between RM47,000 and RM1.2 million depending on the type of leather and embellishments used.

Besides Birkin bags, other bags seized by police reportedly include high-end designer brands such as Versace, Gucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Oscar de la Renta.

Online checks showed that a Versace bag can cost up to RM15,000 and an Oscar de la Renta bag between RM40,000 and RM50,000.

A Hermes retail staff said Birkin bags were so exclusive that there was a long wait list of buyers in Malaysia.

“Some wait for years and still cannot purchase it. For the Malaysian market, only one Birkin handbag is released each year,” she told Malaysia Decides.

Birkin bags are not displayed at the Hermes boutique either, located in Kuala Lumpur’s swanky Pavilion shopping mall, she added.

“You cannot just walk into the boutique and purchase the bag because it would not be here. You have to make a special reservation if you’re an interested buyer,” the retail staff member said.

Police have not yet released the actual value of the items seized from condo units at Pavilion Residences. Besides the 284 bags, other items seized were 72 suitcases of cash, jewellery and watches. – May 18, 2018.