Umno, 3 others to get back RM194m allegedly linked to 1MDB, pending appeal
Umno and three other parties can now get back a total of RM194 million, pending the prosecution’s appeal over related 1MDB forfeiture suits.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court this morning dismissed the prosecution’s application to stay the court’s earlier ruling which dismissed the 1MDB forfeiture suits against Umno, Wanita MCA...
Umno and three other parties can now get back a total of RM194 million, pending the prosecution’s appeal over related 1MDB forfeiture suits.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court this morning dismissed the prosecution’s application to stay the court’s earlier ruling which dismissed the 1MDB forfeiture suits against Umno, Wanita MCA, Perano Sdn Bhd, and Binsabi Sdn Bhd.
On Feb 7, the court dismissed the government’s forfeiture suits against Umno, Wanita MCA, Perano, and Binsabi to recover RM194 million in monies allegedly linked to 1MDB.
The prosecution sought to forfeit RM192 million from Umno, RM300,000 from Wanita MCA, RM337,634.78 from Perano, and RM777,250 from Binsabi.
However, the prosecution later filed an application to stay the ruling and prevent the monies from being released to the four respondents, pending its appeal to the Court of Appeal. The application was then scheduled for hearing today.
While delivering the ruling today, Justice Mohamed Zaini Mazlan said that the court dismissed the stay application because the prosecution failed to show special circumstances to warrant such a stay.
“When it comes to an (application for) a stay (on) monetary judgment, it must be based on special circumstances.
“There is no evidence to show insolvency (of either Umno, Wanita MCA, Perano, or Binsabi as part of special circumstances).
“I, therefore, dismiss the four applications (to stay the return of the RM194 million to the four respondents),” Zaini said.
He then informed DPP Mahadi Abdul Jumaat that the prosecution may now write to the Court of Appeal to seek a stay on the High Court’s ruling.
Zaini’s ruling came following an hour and a half of submissions by the prosecution led by Samihah Rhazali.
Counsel Hariharan Tara Singh, Ben Chan, Mohd Khalil Tajuddin, and Habizan Rahman appeared for Umno, Wanita MCA, Binsabi, and Perano.
Binsabi is an event management firm while Perano is a subsidiary of textile firm Jakel Trading.
Immediately after the ruling, the counsels of the four respondents sought clarification from Zaini on whether an order could be issued specifying that the monies be immediately be returned to the respondents.
Habizan informed the court that this is needed as usually, banks would not want to release the money unless there is a letter from MACC allowing it.
However, Zaini replied that he cannot interfere in that particular administrative process.
When met after proceedings today, Mahadi said today’s ruling did not mean Umno and the three others would get the money immediately.
He said there were a few more administrative steps to be done before that could happen.
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