1MDB fails bid to transfer suit against Riza Aziz to another court

New Straits Times

KUALA LUMPUR: 1Malaysia Development Bhd's (1MDB) US$250 million suit against Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz will still be heard before High Court Judicial Commissioner Datuk Raja Ahmad Mohzanuddin Shah Raja Mohzan.

Today, the judge ruled against 1MDB's application to transfer the civil suit against Riza, the stepson of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, to another court.

1MDB had applied for the suit to be heard before High Court judge Atan Mustaffa Yussof as he is presiding over another 1MDB case involving Najib.

Raja Ahmad Mohzanuddin ordered 1MDB to pay RM5,000 in costs to Riza and his two companies, Red Granite Pictures Inc and Red Granite Capital Ltd.

Counsel Muhammad Farhan Muhammad Shafee, who stood for Riza, said the application was rejected on jurisdictional grounds.

He said the decision meant that the trial would continue under the judicial commissioner.

Proceedings are set to commence in October, he said.

During the proceedings today, Farhan was assisted by Genevieve Vanniasingham, while counsels Rabindra S. Nathan and Lim Jun Rui represented 1MDB.

On May 7, 2021, 1MDB and its three subsidiaries sued Riza and his two companies for allegedly receiving some US$248 million in funds that they misused for their personal gain, including financing a film and purchasing properties.

The three 1MDB subsidiaries are 1MDB Energy Holdings Ltd, 1MDB Energy Ltd and 1MDB Energy (Langat) Ltd.

The plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that Riza is responsible for the misappropriated funds and demand repayment.

Riza and his two companies, in a statement of defence filed on Oct 25, 2021, claimed to have obtained the loan from the Saudi royal family or the International Petroleum Investment Company to produce several films in the United States.

He claimed it was difficult for an unknown film producer to obtain bank loans and that had compelled him to seek funds from individuals or companies.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/crime-courts/2024/04/1042161/1mdb-fails-bid-transfer-suit-against-riza-aziz-another-court