MACC applies to freeze foreign assets linked to Daim's wife, family

Summary

• MACC’s bid for a restraining order to freeze overseas assets linked to Daim Zainuddin’s family aims to prevent the disposal of assets and properties.

• The assets, including seven properties and one bank account valued at RM758.2 million, are allegedly part of a RM2 billion estate and are under investigation for non-disclosure.

MACC has applied for a restraining order to freeze overseas assets belonging to Daim Zainuddin’s wife, Na’imah Abdul Khalid, and her family.

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki stated that a court application has already been filed, explaining that the move aims to prevent the disposal of the properties and assets.

“In this case, we have submitted a court application for a restraining order to freeze the assets located abroad.

“We will also continue with further investigations into the seized accounts, as we need to ensure they are not disposed of,” he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.

Without a restraining order, he said there is a strong possibility the undeclared assets could be disposed of.

Citing sources, NST reported that the MACC is seeking to forfeit seven properties and a bank account belonging to Na’imah and her family, allegedly due to a failure to declare the assets.

These properties are allegedly part of a RM2 billion estate linked to the former finance minister and his family.

The assets - described as high-value properties - were identified in eight new investigation papers recently initiated by the MACC, the report said.

When asked whether the MACC was investigating assets located in other countries, Azam reportedly said that the matter is being looked into.

On June 3, the Kuala Lumpur High Court allowed the MACC to seize seven properties belonging to Daim’s family.

Among those seized, via an ex parte application, are three luxury homes in London and one bank account, said to be worth RM758.2 million.

The assets are among the items being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (Amla) and Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Amlatfpuaa).

Not bowing down

Unimpressed with the latest turn of events, Na’imah said she was not notified of MACC’s latest move and was only made aware of it through media reports.

Calling it an infringement of basic legal norms, she said the government’s move to seize property without notice to its legal owners set a dangerous precedent.

“My lawyers will immediately challenge and set aside the order. This is to defend what should never be taken from any of us - our rights, our voice, and a country governed by law, not by fear,” she said in a statement.

Calling MACC’s latest move as politically motivated and vindictive, Na’imah said she would use all legal means at her disposal to challenge it and vowed “to not bow down to bullies”.

“A line has been crossed. If we do not resist, there may soon be no lines left at all, then no Malaysian will be safe from the reach of unchecked power,” she added.

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