After being charged in court with allegedly failing to declare his assets, former finance minister Daim Zainuddin is not yet out of MACC’s crosshairs, with the agency still pursuing several other investigations against the tycoon.
According to MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki, the graftbusters are still looking into allegations of corruption and money laundering.
“After yesterday’s charge, which was made under Section 36(1) of the MACC Act, our investigations into Daim continue for other cases,” he was quoted as saying by Scoop.
The investigations are being carried out under Section 23 of the MACC Act which stipulates offences regarding abuse of power for gratification, and Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act, he added.
According to the charge sheet, the 85-year-old failed to comply with a MACC notice to declare his assets such as one bank account, seven luxury vehicles, 38 companies, and 25 properties at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya on Dec 13, last year.
The offence falls under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act 2009 (Act 694) where he could face imprisonment of not more than five years and a fine of not more than RM100,000 upon conviction if found guilty.
The prosecution team is being led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin while Daim’s defence team is led by lawyer M Puravalen.
Looking frail, Daim sat in a wheelchair beside the dock in the Sessions Court as he was charged.
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.
After reading the charge sheet, the court interpreter then read out the list of assets.
After he was charged, Daim trained his guns on the government and criticised it for not living up to its promises of reform.
“I don’t wish to say much about this political charge against me.
“I am not guilty, and I look forward to my day in court,” he said in a statement.
At first, Daim tried to read out his statement in the court lobby, but his voice was too soft to be heard.
His wife, Toh Puan Na’imah Khalid, then requested that the media refer directly to the statement.
Daim wrote that honesty, integrity and good governance have eroded.
He said that independent institutions like the MACC, Attorney-General’s Chambers and Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) have been made tools for pursuing political opponents.
“Like many others who wanted a new Malaysia, I had come out to support Pakatan Harapan and Anwar Ibrahim in 2018. Then, the nation was under the shadow of the 1MDB scandal,” the statement said.
“But now, we are under the shadow of an administration that is abusing its powers while betraying all the promises of reform,” he said.
Daim also expressed his worries about the state of the country.
“In my twilight years, I may no longer have the physical strength, but my convictions have not wavered.
“I am not too bothered about my fate now. Let (them) throw everything at me.
“I ask you, Malaysians, to do what you can to protect and save this country.
“Do not hesitate or fear to stand… A government is accountable to its people, not the other way around.
“As the saying goes, ‘For evil to triumph, it’s only necessary for good men to do nothing’. You deserve the better Malaysia that was promised,” he said.
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 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.
Below is the full list of all 71 properties Daim was charged with having but failed to declare:
Bank accounts:
- Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad and Amanah Saham Nasional accounts
Vehicles:
- Mercedes Benz 600 SEL (Registration number: KV8989)
- Jaguar XJS HE (Registration number: MP11)
- Mercedes Benz 450SEL (Registration number: WU11)
- Mercedes Benz 450 SLC (Registration number: KL11)
- Rolls Royce Royce 2 Axle Rigid Body (Registration number: WY11)
- Morris Austin (Registration number: BG9290)
- Ford Prefect (Registration number: KX988)
Companies:
- Ibu Kota Developments Sdn Bhd
- Maya Seni Holdings Sdn Bhd
- Menara Ampang Sdn Bhd
- Dream Cruiser Sdn Bhd
- Landbelt Corporation Sdn Bhd
- Kenari Teliti Sdn Bhd
- Fnq Advanced Materials Sdn Bhd
- Kota Tandop Development Sendirian Berhad
- Alun-Alun Resort (M) Sdn Bhd
- Dasar Seroja Sdn Bhd
- Gigantic Promotions Sdn Bhd
- Jupiter Alliance Sdn Bhd
- Inayat Realty Sdn Bhd
- Suasa Urus Sdn Bhd
- Avillion Berhad
- Meridian Haven Sdn Bhd
- Avillion Vista Hotel Sdn Bhd
- Vast Access Sdn Bhd
- Fortune Valley Sdn Bhd
- Reliance E-Com Sdn Bhd
- Admiral Marina Berhad
- Golden Envoy (M) Sdn Bhd
- Mela Lifestyle Sdn Bhd
- AVI SPA Sdn Bhd
- Avillion Hotel Group Sdn Bhd
- RPB Capital Holdings Sdn Bhd
- Genius Field Sdn Bhd
- Festive Place Sdn Bhd
- Avillion Suite Hotel (PD) Sdn Bhd
- Taman Unik Sdn Bhd
- Admiral Cove Development Sdn Bhd
- Nesline Sdn Bhd
- RPB Development Sdn Bhd
- OS Resources Sdn Bhd
- Avillion Hotel (Kl) Sdn Bhd
- Avillion Hotels International Sdn Bhd
- Admiral Hill Hotel Sdn Bhd
- Reliance Shipping & Travel Agencies (Perak) Sdn Berhad
Real estate or land held under companies:
- Ownership number 79053, Lot 265, Seksyen 89, No 325 Ritchie Condo, 55000 Kuala Lumpur
- Ownership number 27692, Lot 12, Seksyen 89, No 327 Persiaran Ritchie, 55000 Kuala Lumpur
- Unit 1D, No 16, Jalan Taman U-Thant, 55000 Kuala Lumpur
- Ownership number 102428 PT 2533 Mukim Ampang, addressed at No 10 Jalan Wirawati, Taman Maluri, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
- Ownership number 3754 Lot 2490 Mukim Teras, Raub addressed at Rompin House, Bukit Fraser, 49000 Fraser’s Hill, Pahang
- Ownership number 10627 Lot 157, Ownership number 10628 Lot 158, Ownership number 10629 Lot 159 di Mukim Kuala Lumpur addressed at Lot 63-67 (1-3) Jalan Kampung Pandan, Kampung Pandan, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
- Ownership number 1317, PT4061, No 333, Jalan Kolam Air, Taman Melawati, 53100 Kuala Lumpur
- Ownership number Geran 42420, 316 Seksyen 63, Mukim Kuala Lumpur, addressed at No 204 Desa Kuda Lari, TK 1-A150 3, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
- Ownership number CT 9452, Lot 13, No 333, Persiaran Ritchie, Desa Pahlawan, 55000 Kuala Lumpur
- Ownership number 79488 Lot 20001 dan Ownership number 119785 di Mukim Kuala Lumpur addressed at No 333 (Socfin House-White Palace Kuala Lumpur)
- Ownership numbers 37663 PT 377, 37665 PT 379, 37666 PT 380, 37670 PT 384, 15540 PT 1095, and 15541 PT 1096 at Mukim Ampang addressed at No 57 & 59, Taman Maluri, 55100 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur
- Ownership numbers 34959 Lot 215 Seksyen 89, 34960 Lot 216 Seksyen 89 dan 36150 Lot 84 Seksyen 89 at Mukim Kuala Lumpur addressed at Cinta Condominium, Jalan Madge Off Jalan U-Thant, 55000 Kuala Lumpur
- Ownership numbers HS(D) 5782 Lot 14001, HS(D) 5783 Lot 14002, and HS(D) 5784 Lot 14003 at Mukim Bentong addressed at Lot 12 & 13 Puncak Dani & Dani Lodge Gohtong Jaya Genting Highlands, 69000, Pahang
- Ownership numbers 33753 Lot 3989, 33739 Lot 3975 at Mukim Ulu Kelang addressed at Unit No W4DC-075 & 061, Phase 4D, Wangsa Melawati 53300 Kuala Lumpur
- Ownership numbers 16013 PT 371, 16014 PT 372 and 16015 PT 373 at Mukim Kuala Lumpur addressed at Wisma Dani, 1, Jalan Jejaka 4, Maluri, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
- Ownership number 11199 PT 15752, in Mukim Ampang addressed at AG-01, A1-01, A-2-01, A2-01, A3-01, A3-02, A4-01 and A4-02 Taman Dagang Ampang, 68000 Ampang, Selangor
- Ownership number 33555, Lot 129 Seksyen 58, Menara Ampang, No 149, Jalan Ampang, Selangor
- Ownership numbers 129258 and 36280, Lot No 1680 dan 1681, Mukim Bujang Daerah Kuala Muda, Negeri Kedah
- Ownership number 287336, PT 35082, Double Storey Semi D, Phase 5B, Bukit Saujana, Ijok, Selangor
- Suite # 8-13-6, Menara Mutiara Bangsar 8, Jalan Liku Off Jalan Bangsar, 59100, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
- Avillion Port Dickson, 3rd Mile, Jalan Pantai, 71000 Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan
- Avillion Admiral Cove, 51/2 Mile, Jalan Pantai, Port Dickson, 71050 Negeri Sembilan
- Avillion Cameron Highlands, C-3-1 Jalan Camelia, Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands, Pahang
- Admiral Marina & Leisure Club, 5 1/2 Miles Jalan Pantai, 71050, Si Rusa, 71050 Negeri Sembilan
- AVI Pangkor Beach Resort, PT1130, Jalan Pasir Bogak, 32300 Pangkor, Perak
Earlier report:
Jan 27, MACC to charge Daim with failure to declare assets on Jan 29