LAWYERS representing a Dubai-based jeweller have disputed an allegation by Malaysian police that no other companies had come forward to claim any luxury items seized during raids on properties linked to former prime minister Najib Razak.

The lawyers, in a letter to Inspector-General of Police Fuzi Harun, sighted by The Malaysian Insight, were claiming the return of three pieces of jewellery delivered to Najib’s wife, Rosmah Mansor, between January and April this year.

Fuzi had reportedly said no other companies had come forward to make claims on jewellery seized by police other than Lebanon-based jeweller Global Royalty Trading SAL, which sought the return of 44 items. 

“We are shocked and surprised at the contents of the article as we had, on August 7, sent a letter together with attachments to your director of the Federal Criminal Crime Investigation Department,” the letter read, referring to a report published by The Malaysian Insight. 

Police had moved on premises linked to Najib in May, just days after Pakatan Harapan won federal power and formed the new government.

The authorities seized 12,000 pieces of jewellery, 567 handbags, 423 watches and 234 sunglasses. The haul, the biggest in Malaysia’s history, was valued at RM1.1 billion.

As with Global Realty, the Dubai-based jeweller also alleged Rosmah had yet to pay for the jewellery.

The lawyers said that Rosmah had informed the Dubai-based jeweller on June 20 that the items she had taken from them had been seized by police and that she was in no position to make payments for them. 

The lawyers also said they were seeking confirmation from the police on whether the three seized items were in their possession. 

The lawyers said they had sent letters to the Federal CCID director on July 6 and July 27 but only received a letter in response dated July 30 bearing “contents we were unable to comprehend”.

The lawyers said their client was waiting for a response and was willing to cooperate with officers in the recovery of the jewellery. The copy of the letter to the IGP was also sent to Attorney-General Tommy Thomas.

The earlier jeweller, Global Royalty Trading SAL, is owned by Lebanese-born American Samer Halimeh, who had sued Rosmah for the return of RM60 million worth of jewellery.

Halimeh has outlets in New York, London, Cannes and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. He was named as the “salesman” who sent the jewellery to Rosmah.

In a recent interview with The Malaysian Insight, Halimeh’s lawyer said Global Royalty was a legitimate business and not a front for other businesses. – August 17, 2018.