In court over undeclared assets

KUALA LUMPUR: Looking frail, former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin sat in a wheelchair beside the dock in the Sessions Court as he was charged with not declaring 71 assets.

The 86-year-old tycoon, who was hospitalised last week, denied the charge and claimed trial.

The charge was similar to the one faced by his wife Toh Puan Na’imah Abdul Khalid last week but the listed assets ran six times longer.

According to the charge sheet, Daim had intentionally given a written statement under oath that did not comply with the terms of notice under Section 36(1) (b) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, whereby he did not declare assets as stated in Appendix A.

He allegedly committed the offence at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya on Dec 13, 2023.

Daim faces imprisonment of up to five years and a fine not exceeding RM100,000, upon conviction.

After reading the charge sheet, the court interpreter then read out the list of assets listed in Appendix A, which included a bank account, seven luxury cars, 38 companies and 25 lands and properties spread across Kuala Lumpur, Negri Sembilan, Pahang and Perak.

Asked by the court interpreter if he understood the charge, Daim replied: “Faham (I understand).”

He then pleaded not guilty.

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Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin offered bail at between RM250,000 and RM500,000 in one surety.

He asked the court to impose additional conditions – for Daim to surrender his passport and to report his attendance to the MACC office monthly.

Wan Shaharuddin also asked for Daim not to issue any statement on the case until the disposal of the case.

“We understand freedom of speech but there is a limit when a person is already charged in court,” he said.

Lawyer M. Puravalen told the court that his client was a kidney transplant patient and suffered from minor strokes.

“He also has a fungal infection in one of his eyes. This had caused the eye to be removed,” Puravalen said.

The lawyer said wheelchair-bound Daim was not mobile and “was not going anywhere”, hence the two other bail conditions as well as the prosecution’s comments on issuing statements were unnecessary.

Judge Azura Alwi fixed bail at RM280,000 in one surety and did not impose any additional bail condition.

“On the issue of commenting on the case, I understand.

“I think all parties are mature enough. The case is already in court and I ask both parties not to give comments to avoid sub judice,” she said.

The court fixed March 22 for mention of the case, the same date for mention in his wife’s case. Daim posted bail.

On Jan 24, the MACC said it had been given the go-ahead to charge Daim but could not execute it just yet as he was in hospital.