High Court to decide Jan 7 on freeze of Rosmah's US$346mil assets

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court is set to decide on January 7 whether to freeze assets reportedly worth up to US$346 million belonging to Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, pending the resolution of a legal dispute. Judicial commissioner Datuk Muhammad Adam, also known as Edward Abdullah, will preside over the hearing on the application for a Mareva injunction filed by 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and ten other entities.

A Mareva injunction is an interim court order that prohibits a defendant from disposing of or managing assets while legal proceedings continue. The plaintiffs are demanding the freezing of Rosmah's assets, which could include cash, shares, property, and other holdings, totaling up to US$346 million. The suit stems from allegations that luxury goods valued at over US$346 million were acquired using misappropriated 1MDB funds.

The lawsuit, filed on May 9, 2024, by 1MDB and its subsidiaries, along with five other companies, seeks an order for Rosmah to pay US$346,010,489 or any other amount determined by the court. Additionally, the plaintiffs are requesting a declaration that the first six plaintiffs are the rightful owners of the luxury goods in Rosmah's possession.

The initial complaint was filed against Rosmah and Singaporean Shabnam Naraindas Daswani, but the latter's claim was dropped in April 2025. The court previously scheduled June of the following year to hear the case.