Govt must pay RM1.1m to late Dutch model’s family, High Court rules
Dutch model Ivana Smit, 18, was found dead at CapSquare Residence on December 7, 2017, after falling from a 20th-floor unit. An inquest in 2018 ruled her death a ‘misadventure’, though the High Court later determined it was caused by ‘persons known or unknown’. — Picture via Instagram/Ivana Smit
Thursday, 13 Nov 2025 11:23 AM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 — The High Court has rejected the government’s bid to suspend a RM1.1 million payment to the family of the late Dutch model Ivana Smit.
According to Free Malaysia Today, Justice Roz Mawar Rozain ordered the government to deposit the sum, along with accrued interest, into a trust account by today.
The court also directed the government to pay RM8,000 in legal costs to the family.
In July, the court found both the government and police liable for failing to conduct a proper investigation into Smit’s death, awarding RM500,000 in general damages and RM600,000 in aggravated and exemplary damages.
The government had sought to stay the execution of this judgment pending an appeal to the Court of Appeal.
Smit, 18, was found dead at CapSquare Residence on December 7, 2017, after falling from a 20th-floor unit.
An inquest in 2018 ruled her death a “misadventure”, though the High Court later determined it was caused by “persons known or unknown”.
Lawyer SN Nair represented Smit’s family, while senior federal counsel Siti Aishah Ramlan appeared for the government.
There is no suggestion the Malaysian Government or anyone related to it had any involvement in her death.
ReplyDeleteYes, PDRM probably botched the investigation. It's commonplace for police to brush off cases where the victim is a foreigner, hoping to quickly close off the case.
But this is a far cry from criminal or civil culpability.
Contrast to the Altantuya case , where the Malaysian Government probably does owe her family compensation, due to the likely Involvement of Malaysian Government machinery in her death.
The payment quantum looks excessive.