ROSMAH Mansor has been a long-standing client of Lebanese jewellery firm Global Royalty Trading SAL, and was accorded certain privileges because of this, said a lawyer representing the firm.

The wife of former prime minister Najib Razak is now the subject of a suit filed by a Beirut-based jeweller, who alleged that a consignment of 44 pieces of jewellery – comprising a tiara, diamond necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings – were sent to her in February. 

Each item costs between US$124,000 and US$925,000 (RM500,800 and RM3.7 million) with a total value of US$14.8 million, according to a statement of claim filed at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on June 26 through Messrs David Gurupatham and Koay. 

“You could certainly say that its clientele are not made up of your average Joe that walks into a jewellery shop at the mall,” Gurupatham told The Malaysian Insight recently. 

In response, Rosmah said the items were seized during government raids beginning May 16 on properties linked to her husband. 

The firm is now seeking a mandatory order for the items to be returned or reimbursement of the value by Rosmah.  

Gurupathan said the firm was not acting out of the norm in it its last dealing with Rosmah when it sent the consignment of jewellery to her.

Rosmah was to evaluate and purchase the items, which she would pay for on her own or through a third party.

Rosmah was known to have borrowed jewellery, with the receiving party being herself or her agent in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Dubai, the firm said in its statement of claim. 

“Obviously, when you are a long-standing client, you have certain privileges. To put this into perspective, the defendant would have certain credibility in the market. 

“I mean, 44 pieces of jewellery? What is the value? RM60 million? How many pieces were seized? 12,000? To put this in perspective, someone who is able to acquire this amount of jewellery would certainly be accorded a certain level of credit.”

Gurupatham said someone of Rosmah’s standing could command such high confidence of retailers. 

“For example, if I were to go to the bank and ask for an OD (overdraft) of RM10 million, the bank may say no. But if it is someone of substance asking for RM100 million, it’s likely to be granted. That’s the way confidence works.”

Gurupatham added that the Beirut-based firm was legitimate and not a front for any other company, in response to online chatter that the jewellery store does not exist.

“There’s no doubt about it. At the end of the day, the company is registered. 

“In this instance, it’s a very personalised couture type of service. And when you have personalities that sell couture pieces, very exclusive pieces, they are going to use vehicles for transactions.”

Putrajaya has applied to be intervener in the case on the grounds that the jewellery was allegedly bought with taxpayers’ funds. The next case management has been set for July 27. – July 18, 2018.