KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 19): Lawyers for 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and its two subsidiaries 1MDB Energy Ltd and 1MDB Energy (Langat) Ltd will file a new prohibitory order (PO) against fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho’s mother, Puan Sri Goh Gaik Ewe, to stop her from dealing with her bungalow in Tanjung Bungah, Penang.
The filing will be made later on Monday (Jan 19) or within this week, said a representative from Messrs Lim Chee Wee Partnership who is coordinating all the 1MDB- and SRC International Sdn Bhd-related civil suits.
“It will be filed today under the new case number code,” said a representative from the law firm.
This follows 1MDB withdrawing its application for a new PO earlier on Monday, as it was made under the old file in 2024, whereas a new application should have been made using this year’s file code.
The withdrawal of 1MDB’s application, which was filed on Jan 7 this year, was recorded by High Court Senior Assistant Registrar Qasiratul Jannah Usmani Othman, who ordered that the withdrawal be made with no costs and with liberty to file afresh.
On Jan 7, Qasiratul Jannah had dismissed 1MDB’s application for an extension of the PO, which had lapsed on Dec 5, but ordered that it could be filed afresh.
This resulted in the plaintiffs/creditors filing the Jan 7 application for a new PO, but using the 2024 file code and not a 2026 file code, resulting in the withdrawal.
The PO on Goh or her representative follows a judgement in default entered on her to a sum of US$1,695,475 plus interests from December 2012, for jewellery bought using 1MDB funds.
The judgement in default was obtained by 1MDB on May 31, 2024.
Following that, 1MDB sought a PO to bar the debtor (Goh) from selling, transferring, charging, or leasing the Tanjung Bungah bungalow, and costs of the application.
The first PO was obtained on Dec 5, 2024, for six months, and 1MDB was allowed another six-month extension that lapsed on Dec 4 last year, as 1MDB’s application for an extension was dismissed earlier this month.
It is to be noted that Goh, her husband Tan Sri Larry Low Hock Peng, Jho Low, and Jho Low’s two siblings had left the country, and judgements in default have been obtained against them.