The High Court will decide on Aug 12 whether to grant Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor a stay on the RM67.5 million payment ordered to Lebanon-based jeweller Global Royalty Trading SAL over 43 missing pieces of jewellery, Bernama reported.
Judicial Commissioner Marianne Antoinette Ghani fixed the date after hearing submissions from Rosmah’s counsel M. Reza Rahim and Global Royalty’s counsel R. Venothani, who appeared via Zoom.
On June 10, the court ordered Rosmah, the wife of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, to pay the sum within one month after finding her liable for the missing jewellery. She subsequently filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal and sought a stay pending the outcome.
Reza argued there were special circumstances warranting a stay, pointing to Global Royalty’s status as a Lebanon-based foreign entity with no presence or assets in Malaysia. He said this could make it difficult for Rosmah to recover the money if her appeal succeeds.
“The plaintiff operates its business in Beirut, Lebanon, and there is no possible way for us to check its financial strength (for possible repayment),” he said.
He also told the court Rosmah has only one bank account containing about RM100,000, while her other assets were frozen under an injunction linked to a 1Malaysia Development Berhad lawsuit in 2024.
Venothani, however, argued Rosmah had failed to establish any special circumstances, saying there was no evidence Global Royalty was insolvent or unable or unwilling to repay the sum if the appeal succeeds.
“There is no evidence that the plaintiff would be unable or unwilling to make restitution,” she said.
