KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB)-linked forfeiture suit contended that it was impossible for Datuk Seri Najib Razak not to know the source of the RM2.9bil funds that came into his account.
In a written submission, sighted by the media, the prosecution said Najib had failed to refute facts that his AmBank account ending with 9694 was involved in a money-laundering scheme.
“It is impossible for an account owner who has full authority managing his bank account not to know the source of the RM2.9bil.
“What more if the account was opened for the purpose of receiving monies from Good Star, Aabar and Tanore, which were entities said to have received 1MDB funds illegally,” it stated.
The submission was made in the forfeiture suit hearing against Najib and 17 others to seize assets and valuables, said to be purchased from ill-gotten monies from 1MDB.
Justice Mohamed Zaini Mazlan then fixed Nov 8 to deliver his decision in the case.
“Two months is about the time I need,” the judge said in an open court proceeding here yesterday.
Deputy public prosecutor Harris Ong Mohd Jeffrey Ong earlier told the court that the prosecution would be relying on its written submission that had been submitted earlier.
In May 2019, the government filed a forfeiture suit against Najib and 17 others to recover assets said to be linked to 1MDB.
The first notice of motion named Najib, his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, their children Nor Ashman Razak, 31, and Nooryana Najwa, 33, and Rosmah’s film producer son Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz, 45, as respondents.
The same notice also named Roger Ng, 49, and his wife Lim Hwee Bin, 50.
It also named six other individuals – Mohd Kyizzad Mesran, 40; Aiman Ruslan, 34; Puan Sri Goh Gaik Ewe, 69; Kee Kok Thiam, 49; Tan Vern Tact, 45; and Geh Choh Hun, 42.
Goh is the mother of fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low, who is a central figure in the 1MDB scandal.
Kee, Tan and Geh are said to be associates of Low.
It also named companies –Senijauhar Sdn Bhd and Rembulan Kembara Sdn Bhd – and three foundations – Yayasan Rakyat 1Malaysia, Yayasan Semesta and Yayasan Mustika Kasih.
The items listed are luxury goods (263 handbags, 14 watches and 27 shoes), 27 vehicles, RM19,064,205.58, multiple foreign currencies and a property in Tanjung Bungah, Penang.
A third company – Obyu Holding Sdn Bhd – is the sole respondent in a second notice of motion which was filed separately.
The government sought to forfeit 11,990 pieces of jewellery, 401 watches and 16 units of watch accessories, 234 sunglasses, 306 handbags, RM114,164,393.44 in cash and a property in Kuala Lumpur from Obyu Holding.