19-12-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) A massive civil lawsuit seeking US$346 million from Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, has been reassigned to High Court Judge Wan Muhammad Amin Wan Yahya, marking the latest development in the ongoing 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) saga.
The case, which alleges misappropriation of funds for purchasing luxury goods, involves 1MDB and ten affiliated companies as plaintiffs. Legal counsel Villasha Anbalagan, representing the plaintiffs, confirmed that the first case management hearing under Justice Wan Muhammad Amin has been scheduled for 7 February 2025.
This judicial reassignment follows the recent recusal of Justice Leong Wai Hong, who stepped down due to his previous partnership with law firm Skrine. The firm’s current representation of 1MDB in separate proceedings against Najib Razak raised potential conflict of interest concerns, leading to Rosmah’s successful recusal application.
The case has already seen multiple judicial changes, with Justice Adlin Abdul Majid initially presiding before being transferred to the Intellectual Property Division. Justice Adlin had previously rejected Rosmah’s first recusal attempt, citing insufficient evidence of judicial bias.
Filed in May 2024, the lawsuit brings together an alliance of companies including 1MDB’s subsidiaries and several international investment firms. The plaintiffs, which include 1MDB Energy Holdings Limited and SRC International Sdn Bhd, have also named Shabnam Naraindas Daswani (also known as Natasha Mirpuri) as a co-defendant.
The legal action seeks to establish rightful ownership of various luxury items allegedly in Rosmah’s possession, with the plaintiffs demanding either the full sum of US$346 million or an alternative amount to be determined by the court.
