PUTRAJAYA has shelled out RM11 million between August 2018 and January this year to maintain the Equanimity luxury yatch linked to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal, said Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.

In a written parliamentary reply to Tanjong Karang MP Noh Omar yesterday, minister Lim Guan Eng said the RM11 million was spent on maintenance, repair works, fuel costs, legal costs, insurance and processes related to the sale of the vessel.

Between January and March this year, Lim said maintenance of the yatch was projected to cost some RM3.22 million.

Yatch management company Wilson Yacht Management Ltd was appointed in August to carry out maintenance of the asset.

“The Equanimity is currently in Langkawi under the watch and control of the high court of Kuala Lumpur.

“The auction process of the yatch has entered the second phase,” Lim said, adding this was due to the government being unable to reach an agreement on a bid in the first phase.

The second phase is expected to be carried out by way of private treaty/direct sale, and is expected to end on March 31. 

The United States Department of Justice had last year said that Equanimity was bought by wanted businessman Low Taek Jho with money siphoned from troubled state investment arm 1MDB. – March 28, 2019.