Daim charged with failing to declare assets, claims trial
KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Daim Zainuddin has been charged with failing to declare his assets to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Monday (Jan 29).
The former finance minister claimed trial at the Sessions Court here for the charge framed under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act pertaining to the disclosure of assets.
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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 MACC Act 2009, whereby Daim did not declare assets as stated in Appendix A.
He allegedly committed the offence at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya on Dec 13, 2023.
The 85-year-old was charged under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act 2009 and faces imprisonment of up to five years and a fine not exceeding RM100,000, if convicted.
The court interpreter read a long list of assets that were listed in Appendix A, as Daim sat on his wheelchair outside of the accused dock.
The assets are one bank account, seven luxury cars, 38 companies and 25 lands and properties spread across Kuala Lumpur, Negri Sembilan, Pahang and Perak.
When asked by the court interpreter whether he understood the charge, Daim replied: “Faham” (I understand).
He pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.
ALSO READ: Daim: I amassed my wealth through legitimate businesses
Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin offered bail between RM250,000 and RM500,000 in one surety.
He asked for the court to impose additional conditions, for Daim to surrender his passport and to report his attendance to the MACC office monthly.
DPP Wan Shaharuddin also asked for Daim not to issue any statements 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, who represented Daim, told the court that his client was a kidney transplant patient and suffered from minor strokes.
“He also has fungal infection in his eye which caused one eye to be removed,” Puravalen said.
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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.
Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi fixed bail at RM280,000 in one surety and did not impose any additional bail conditions after considering Daim’s condition.
“On the issue of commenting on the case, I understand. I think all parties are mature enough. The case is already brought to court and I ask for both parties not to give comments (on the case) to avoid sub judice,” she said.
The court also fixed March 22 for mention in Daim’s case, the same date for mention in his wife, Toh Puan Na’imah Abdul Khalid’s case.
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