Malaysia court orders ex-PM's wife Rosmah Mansor to pay US$14.57m over missing luxury jewellery

PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA: Malaysia's High Court has held Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife to former Prime Minister Najib Razak, liable for the loss of 43 pieces of luxury jewellery worth US$14.57 million, ordering her to pay RM67.46 million to a Lebanese jeweller after concluding that she failed to return items entrusted to her under a consignment arrangement.

On 10 June 2026, Judicial Commissioner Datuk Quay Chew Soon ruled in favour of Lebanese luxury jewellery company Global Royalty Trading SAL, finding that Rosmah had received the jewellery for viewing and possible purchase, did not pay for the items, and failed to return all but one piece.

The court ordered Rosmah to pay RM67,461,027.37 within one month of the judgment. In addition, the court awarded RM75,000 in costs to the plaintiff and a further RM75,000 in costs to third parties involved in the proceedings.

The lawsuit centred on 44 pieces of high-end jewellery delivered to Rosmah in February 2018 under a consignment arrangement.

The collection included diamond necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings and a tiara, with an estimated value of approximately US$14.8 million.

Under the arrangement, ownership of the jewellery remained with Global Royalty Trading SAL until payment was made. Rosmah was permitted to inspect the collection, select pieces she wished to purchase and return the remainder.

Court finds key facts were undisputed

In delivering his decision, Quay said the outcome of the case rested on several undisputed facts.

According to the judge, 44 pieces of jewellery were delivered to Rosmah, the items were supplied on a consignment basis, no payment was made for the collection and 43 pieces were never returned.

"Those facts are decisive. Once delivery, possession and non-return are established, the legal burden no longer rests on the plaintiff to speculate as to what transpired within the defendant's custody," Quay said.

The judge noted that Rosmah had previously acknowledged in earlier proceedings that the jewellery was received on consignment and did not belong to her.

He found that subsequent attempts to challenge the validity of the consignment arrangement could not override those earlier admissions.

"The defendant cannot accept possession of another person's property, retain custody and control over it, and then deny legal responsibility," Quay said.

Failure to return jewellery constituted negligence

The court further concluded that Rosmah had failed to discharge her responsibilities as a bailee of the jewellery.

Quay ruled that the non-return of the items constituted prima facie negligence and that Rosmah had failed to demonstrate that the loss occurred despite reasonable care being exercised.

"The law requires the defendant to prove what happened to the jewellery, that proper care was exercised and that the loss did not arise from negligence. The defendant has failed to do so," he said.

The judge also rejected Rosmah's contention that the loss resulted from police actions during raids conducted in 2018 as part of investigations linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.

According to the court, there was insufficient evidence to establish that the missing jewellery had been seized by authorities.

"Only one item was identified during forfeiture proceedings and returned to the plaintiff. Beyond that, there is no proof the remaining jewellery was ever seized," Quay said.

Indemnity claim against police dismissed

Rosmah had sought indemnity from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Inspector-General of Police and the Malaysian government, arguing that any loss was attributable to police actions during raids at Pavilion Residences in Kuala Lumpur.

However, the court dismissed that claim.

Quay found that Rosmah had failed to prove that all 44 pieces were packed, stored and subsequently seized during the police operation.

"The burden of proof lies on the defendant. My finding is that she has failed to discharge it," he said.

As a result, the court declined to transfer liability to the police or the government.

Jewellery linked to aftermath of 2018 election defeat

The dispute arose from events surrounding Malaysia's historic 14th General Election in May 2018, which resulted in the defeat of the Barisan Nasional government led by former prime minister Najib Razak.

According to court filings, Global Royalty Trading SAL delivered the jewellery collection to Rosmah in February 2018 through a consignment arrangement.

The company later claimed that the jewellery was never returned despite repeated requests.

On 22 May 2018, shortly after the general election, Rosmah informed the jeweller that the items were no longer in her possession because they had allegedly been seized by Malaysian authorities during raids connected to the 1MDB investigation.

The case gained additional attention because the alleged missing jewellery became entangled with one of Malaysia's largest-ever seizures of luxury assets.

During raids at Pavilion Residences, investigators recovered more than 12,000 pieces of jewellery, along with luxury handbags, watches, cash and other valuables linked to ongoing 1MDB investigations.

Despite the extensive seizure, only one piece from Global Royalty Trading SAL's consignment was positively identified and eventually returned to the company.

The remaining 43 pieces could not be accounted for.

Rosmah maintained jewellery was seized

In earlier proceedings, Rosmah argued that the jewellery had been delivered without any request from her and that the intention was for her to wear or use the items at official and social functions attended by local and foreign dignitaries.

"As far as I can remember, I did not have an opportunity to wear or use the jewelleries as it was the general elections in 2018 and I was busy assisting my husband in campaigning for the elections," she said in court filings.

Rosmah further stated that she had no intention of keeping the jewellery and retained it only because it had been introduced through an acquaintance connected to the former second wife of the Sultan of Brunei.

According to her account, the jewellery was kept under lock and key with the intention of returning it.

Following Barisan Nasional's election defeat, Rosmah said her family was instructed to vacate the Seri Perdana Complex, the official residence of Malaysia's prime minister.

She stated that family belongings, gifts and souvenirs were subsequently moved to Pavilion Residences, including the jewellery collection.

Rosmah maintained that police raids conducted on 17 May 2018 resulted in the seizure of all valuables, including the jewellery supplied by Global Royalty Trading SAL.

"Therefore after the raid I no longer retain custody, control or care over the 44 pieces as the jewelleries were seized by the police," she said.

She denied failing to return the jewellery and argued that any loss suffered by the company was attributable to police negligence.

 Court sides with jeweller

Global Royalty Trading SAL filed its lawsuit in 2023 seeking either the return of the jewellery or compensation equivalent to its value.

After a full trial, the High Court concluded that the company had established its claim and that Rosmah remained legally responsible for the missing items.

Lawyer Datuk David Gurupatham represented the Lebanese jeweller, while Rajivan Nambiar appeared for Rosmah.