Probe Rosmah 's million-dollar diamond allegations, MACC urged

A group calling themselves Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) lodged a report at the Penang branch of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission today over the alleged purchase of a diamond ring by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's wife, Rosmah Mansor.

SAMM chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin (right in photo) said he would be handing over copies of a Custom Department information system printout which implicates Rosmah in the purchase of the US$24.4 million (RM73 million) item, which is free of import duties.

According to Badrul, popularly known as Chegubard, based on information received by the group on Apr 16, the “Natural Fancy Gray Cushion Cut Diamond” was flown in via the KL International Airport.

The price for the item was tagged at US$24,458, 400.00, he claimed.

“The item was purchased through a fine jewellery company - Jacob & Co - based in New York, and brought to Malaysia by one Jeremy Beh Sin Tee,” he pointed out while showing reporters one of the items of 'evidence'.

“Rosmah's name was also shown in the receiver's column in the customs form,” added the PKR central committee member.

Chegubard said the evidence in hand included information like the name of the agent for the company where the item was purchased, names of staff involved, number of custom tax form, and flight information.

This would be almost impossible to falsify, added Chegubard, who contested for the Rembau parliamentary seat in 2008 but lost to Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

He urged the MACC to launch a full and transparent investigation into the matter and publicly state the findings immediately.

Malaysiakini has failed to obtain a response from MACC chief Latifah Md Yatim.

Meanwhile, Chegubard has likened Rosmah to the spendthrift former Filipino first lady Imelda Marcos.

He said that Malaysians are suffering due to the rising cost of living and do not wish to see the country's leaders or their wives living in such luxury.

“Based on the proof we have, the purchase of this item is also tax-free; this needs to be investigated,” he said.

“Did Rosmah's husband - Najib - use his power as finance minister to obtain the tax-free status?” he queried.

“We do not just want any mosquito personalities to comment on this; we want to hear this from Rosmah herself,” he stressed.