KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 – The government today failed in an application to forfeit RM114 million in cash which was seized from a premises belonging to Obyu Holdings Sdn Bhd allegedly owned by UMNO and former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

This is following the decision of High Court Judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin who rejected the prosecution’s application as the applicant to forfeit the money seized by the police at Pavilion Residence on May 17, 2018.

In his judgment, Muhammad Jamil said the applicant failed to prove the RM114,164,393.44. was from money laundering activities.

However, the status quo of the money amounting to RM114,164,393.44 was not decided when the judge did not issue any order on whether the money, which is currently in the custody of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) should be returned to the original owner.

UMNO and Najib are the third parties in the application. Any third party claiming to have an interest in the seized goods may appear in court to present reasons why the goods should not be forfeited by the government.

In 2019, the prosecution filed a forfeiture application against Obyu Holdings to forfeit the rights of goods comprising 11,991 units of jewelery, 401 watch straps and 16 watch accessories, 234 pairs of spectacles as well as 306 handbags and cash amounting to RM114,164,393.44. –  BERNAMA