MACC had sought a prohibitory order under Section 53(2) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Amla), which bars any dealings with the identified properties.

Justice Azhar Abdul Hamid ruled that the court had the inherent jurisdiction to hear the application.

He said Section 53(2) of Amla was an “in personam” provision, as the prohibitory order prevented the individuals or entities named from dealing with the identified properties, and allowing the intervention would not prejudice the prosecution.

The other interveners are Copperfield Investment Holdings Ltd, Straits Properties LTD, Newton Assets Global Ltd, Splendid International Ltd, and Catalyst Assets Ltd.

The assets in question comprise two commercial buildings at St Mary Axe and One Crown Court; three luxury residences at Bryanston Square, Bryanston Mews, and Lancaster Gate; two residences at Gloucester Place; and a CAF Bank Ltd (UK) account held by Ilham Foundation.

Lawyers G Rajasingam, Sathya Kumardas, and Sharon Jessy represented Copperfield Investment Holdings Ltd and Straits Properties Ltd while Nizamuddin Hamid, Abraham Au, Syed Afiq Syed Albakri, and Vam Shir Mooi appeared for the other companies.

Deputy public prosecutor Farah Ezlin Yusop Khan represented MACC.