This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on May 9, 2019

KUALA LUMPUR: Former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak, his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, their children Nooryana Najwa, 31, and Nor Ashman Razak, 28, along with Najib's step son Riza Shahrir Abdul Aziz, 43, have been named in a RM680 million civil forfeiture action filed by the Malaysian government.

The forfeiture action is against assets said to be from funds illegally gained from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) as reported in theedgemarkets.com yesterday.

In addition to the family, five companies and eight individuals have also been named in the legal action, of which the notice was filed on Tuesday.

The companies or foundations are Yayasan Rakyat 1Malaysia, Yayasan Semesta, Yayasan Mustaka Kasih, Rembulan Kembara Sdn Bhd and Senijauhar Sdn Bhd.

Individuals named were former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng, 47, who is now in the US to face charges over 1MDB-related offences, his wife and lawyer Lim Hwee Bin, 48, fugitive Low Taek Jho’s (or better known as Jho Low) mother Goh Gaik Ewe, 67, Putrajaya Perdana Sdn Bhd non-executive director Tan Vern Tact, 43, who is also said to be executive director of UBG Bhd, Geh Choh Hun, 40 who is said to be Jho Low’s friend and chairperson of UBG, one Kee Kok Thiam, 47, former official in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Kyizzad Mesran, and one Aiman Ruslan.

Another motion was also filed by the prosecutors to retrieve RM680 million from Obyu Holding Sdn Bhd.

The prosecutors are seeking forfeiture, and third party individuals (who may have an interest in the assets) to possibly challenge the seizure of the assets sought.

For the action against Obyu Holdings Sdn Bhd, the prosecutors are said to be seeking 11,990 sets of jewellery, 401 watches and 16 units of watch accessories, 234 spectacles and 306 handbags that were all seized on May 17, last year, as well as cash amounting to RM114,164,393.44 seized on Jan 31, 2019. A property referred to as Lot PT80 in Kuala Lumpur seized on Nov 1, 2018 is also on the list of items sought.

Apart from the action against Obyu, the prosecutors are also seeking RM31 million worth of valuables that comprise a list of 66 different items. (For the full list, go to link)

The items sought include 263 pieces of branded handbags, 14 pieces of branded watches, 27 pairs of branded shoes, cash in various denominations including some RM725,000, 26 units of Nissan Urvan, one Nissan X-Trail, monies held in some 29 current or fixed deposit accounts, and a property in Tanjung Bungah, Penang registered to Goh Gaik Ewe.