Predictably, Jho Low responds with the claim that the government has shown utter contempt for fair and lawful process.
A civil notice to forfeit property and valuables linked to 1MDB could not be served on Jho Low’s mother as she is overseas, the High Court in Kuala Lumpur heard today.
During the case mention this morning, DPP Muhammad Shukri Hussain said except for Goh Gaik Ewe, they have managed to serve cause papers on 17 other respondents, including former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.
“For the 13th respondent (Goh), we could not serve the cause paper on her. She is being represented here by her lawyer M Puravalen,” Shukri told the court.
Puravalen then rose and informed the court, presided by Justice Mohamed Zaini Mazlan, that his client is now overseas and that they will serve the court papers on her.
“She is overseas. We will authorise service,” Puravalen said.
The other lawyer that will be acting for Goh is Ragunath Kesavan.
Goh, 66, is the mother of fugitive businessperson Low Taek Jho, who is linked to 1MDB.
The family’s bungalow in Penang was among the properties listed in the forfeiture notice that was filed by the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) on May 8.
The notice also seeks to forfeit 27 vehicles, handbags, watches and cash in various foreign currencies, among others.
Besides Najib and Goh, the notice also named 16 others, including Najib’s wife Rosmah Mansor and their children Riza Aziz, Nor Ashman and Nooryana Najwa.
Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah represented Najib, while lawyer Azrul Stork appeared for Rosmah, their children Nooryana Najwa Najib, 31, and Nor Ashman Razak Najib, 28, as well as Najib’s 43-year-old stepson Riza Shahrir Abdul Aziz.
Also in the list are Mohd Kyizzad Mesran (a former officer with the Prime Minister’s Department), Aiman Ruslan (an officer with the Selangor Islamic Department), Roger Ng (former Goldman Sachs banker) and Ng’s wife Lim Hwee Bin.
Mohd Kyizzad Mesran appeared in court himself, as did Aiman Ruslan, while lawyer Datuk Tan Hock Chuan appeared for Roger Ng and Lim Hwee Bin.
Others named in the forfeiture action by the government were Yayasan Rakyat 1Malaysia, Yayasan Semesta, Yayasan Mustika Kasih, Rembulan Kembara Sdn Bhd, Kee Kok Thiam, Tan Vern Tact and Geh Choh Hun.
In an immediate reaction, a spokesperson for Jho Low issued a statement this afternoon claiming that the government had violated rules and procedures in an “attempt to railroad the asset seizure”.
“The hearing today exposed the government’s attempt to railroad the asset seizure by flagrantly violating the rules and procedures intended to protect individuals’ fundamental rights.
“Once again the government has demonstrated utter contempt for fair and lawful process,” said the statement, which was sent from Sydney-based strategic public affairs firm Wells Haslem Mayhew.
In the court today, the judge heard from Shukri that the applicant needs another date for case mention.
According to the DPP, this was to allow them to file an affidavit of service and ensure all cause papers are delivered to all respondents.
Justice Zaini then fixed May 30 for the case mention.