Court grants stay on MACC's asset freeze against Daim's widow

The High Court today allowed an application by Daim Zainuddin’s widow Na’imah Abdul Khalid for a stay of MACC’s ex parte order to freeze assets belonging to her and her family worth £132 million (RM760 million) in London.

The assets comprise two commercial buildings located at St Mary Axe and One Crown Court; three luxury residences at Bryanston Square, Bryanston Mews and Lancaster Gate; two residential units in Gloucester Place; and a bank account at CAF Bank Limited (UK), allegedly held under Ilham Foundation.

Judge Azhar Abdul Hamid granted the stay after allowing Na’imah’s application, who was represented by counsel Gurdial Singh Nijar.

The court fixed July 9 to hear Na’imah’s application to intervene in the main proceedings relating to the freezing of the assets.

On June 3, the same court had allowed the MACC’s ex-parte application to freeze the said assets under Section 53 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

In a separate High Court today, judge K Muniandy fixed Aug 1 to hear Na’imah’s application to intervene in MACC’s separate ex-parte application to freeze 12 investment accounts in Singapore, allegedly owned by Na’imah, her family and associates, with a total value of over RM544 million.

Over RM500m in undeclared assets

Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor Wan Nur Iman Wan Afzal requested the court to allow MACC’s ex-parte application to freeze the said assets, following findings that the assets had not been declared.

“The total value of these movable assets exceeds RM544 million, consisting of investments in US dollars and pound sterling. Therefore, we request that this application be heard, and these assets be frozen to prevent the risk of disposal,” she said.

On May 22, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said eight investigation papers were opened based on new information received from external agencies regarding the assets owned by Daim, his family and proxies.

Azam said the latest information indicated that the assets owned by Daim, his family and associates were not declared to MACC during the 2023 investigation.

- Bernama

Probe into PM classified as NFA, Na'imah's lawyers outraged

Na'imah wants IPCC to probe cops for not investigating PM

Na'imah's counsel: Court's refusal to refer legal questions denied fundamental right

Is MACC playing musical chairs with law, lawyers ask after second seizure

'I will not bow to bullies': Daim's wife to fight asset seizure by MACC