New Judge Takes Over 1MDB's $346M Lawsuit Against Rosmah Over Luxury Goods"

KUALA LUMPUR — The US$346 million lawsuit filed by 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and 10 other companies against Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor has been reassigned to High Court Judge Wan Muhammad Amin Wan Yahya.

The case, which alleges Rosmah used misappropriated 1MDB funds to purchase luxury items, was previously under Judge Leong Wai Hong, who recused himself due to a potential conflict of interest with his former law firm. This follows Rosmah's request for recusal, citing the firm’s involvement in a separate 1MDB case. Prior to Leong, the case was handled by Justice Adlin Abdul Majid, who was later transferred.

During the first case management with the new judge, lawyer Villasha Anbalagan confirmed the next update will be on February 7, 2024.

The lawsuit, filed in May, involves 1MDB and its five subsidiaries, as well as five other companies. It targets Rosmah and Shabnam Naraindas Daswani (also known as Natasha Mirpuri), seeking a court order for her to return US$346 million or an equivalent amount. The plaintiffs are also seeking ownership declarations for the luxury goods allegedly in Rosmah’s possession.