KUALA LUMPUR: The Court of Appeal has allowed 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) to admit a 300-page affidavit by Singaporean personal shopper Shabnam Naraindas Daswani as evidence in its US$346 million (RM1.632 billion) civil suit against Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor over alleged purchases of luxury goods using 1MDB funds.
The three-member bench unanimously ruled today that the High Court had erred in rejecting the affidavit, which was intended to support 1MDB's application for a Mareva injunction to prevent Rosmah from transferring, selling or concealing her assets.
"The High Court judge had erred in not admitting (Shabnam's) affidavit and appellate intervention is warranted," Judge Datuk Leonard David Shim said.
The bench, led by Datuk Dr Alwi Abdul Wahab and comprising Datuk Ismail Berahim, also ordered Rosmah to pay RM30,000 in costs.
Shim said the affidavit was vital in establishing the alleged financial arrangements used to purchase luxury goods for Rosmah, including the movement of funds through companies linked to fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho and Eric Tan Kim Loong to offshore destinations.
He said the additional time taken to prepare the affidavit was justified given its volume and supporting exhibits, adding that rejecting it would deprive 1MDB of material evidence.
Shabnam, who frequently accompanied Rosmah on overseas trips, had agreed to cooperate with Malaysian authorities under a consent order in April 2025. She affirmed the affidavit in June that year.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court rejected its admission in November 2025 on grounds that it was filed late, prompting 1MDB to appeal.
1MDB and 10 related companies filed the suit in June 2024, alleging Rosmah received jewellery, luxury handbags and other valuables from 48 vendors across 14 countries without consideration.
The plaintiffs are seeking the recovery of the goods or their traceable proceeds, alternatively US$346.01 million in compensation.
The application for a Mareva injunction is scheduled for hearing on Jan 7, 2027.
Rosmah's lawyer, Datuk Seri Rajan Navaratnam, said he had been instructed to seek leave to appeal today's decision at the Federal Court.