Pavilion Residences Raid & Forfeiture Proceedings
- Evidentiary Failure to Establish Nexus to 1MDB

In May 2018, police conducted a raid on a luxury condominium unit at Pavilion Residences in Kuala Lumpur, which was the residence of Malaysia’s former Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak. During the raid, RM114 million cash (USD26 million), jewellery, designer handbags, watches, and other valuables were seized. The items were alleged by authorities to be linked to unlawful activities, including funds related to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

The government subsequently initiated civil forfeiture proceedings seeking to forfeit both cash and non-cash assets seized during the raid. The Malaysian High Court dismissed the forfeiture application, finding that the prosecution had failed, on the balance of probabilities, to establish that the seized property constituted proceeds of unlawful activity or to demonstrate a sufficient link to 1MDB. The court also dismissed related applications to forfeit other luxury items, including jewellery and handbags.

Following the dismissal, the prosecution did not pursue a further appeal in respect of the cash forfeiture ruling, and some of the seized funds were returned.