KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 29 — Former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, was charged in the Sessions Court today with failing to declare his assets to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
The 86-year-old pleaded not guilty after the charge, made under Section 36(2) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act, was read out to him.
Section 36(2) covers the offence of wilfully neglecting or failing to comply with the terms of a notice issued by the MACC to give a written statement on oath or affirmation of their assets.
He can be punished with a maximum five-year jail term and a maximum fine of RM100,000 if convicted.
Daim was accused of having on December 13, 2023, at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya, willfully given a written statement on oath that did not comply with the terms of a MACC notice dated November 8 of the same year that was served on him on November 14.
He was alleged to have committed the offence by not declaring assets as stated in a list (Lampiran A).
He is accused of failing to declare his ownership in 38 companies; seven vehicles; 19 plots of land in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang and Kedah; and six properties.
Besides that, Daim also allegedly omitted declaring an Amanah Saham Berhad and Amanah Saham Nasional bank account.
Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin asked the court to set bail between RM250,000 to RM500,000 and asked for the court to impound Daim’s passport on top of reporting to the authorities once a month.
Lawyer M. Puravalen representing Daim, however, argued for a lower bail amount and there was no necessity for Daim to surrender his passport citing his client’s ailing health.
Among others, Puravalen said his client was a kidney transplant patient and has suffered several strokes that have left him wheelchair bound.
After hearing the arguments from both the prosecution and defence, Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi ordered for Daim’s bail to be set at RM280,000 with one surety with no additional conditions imposed.
The list of assets that Daim failed to declare as read out in his charge is as follows:
Vehicles
1. Mercedes-Benz 600 SEL
2. Jaguar XJS HE
3. Mercedes-Benz 450SEL
4. Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC
5. Rolls-Royce Royce 2 Axle Rigid Body
6. Austin Morris Austin
7. Ford Prefect
Companies
1. Ibu Kota Developments Sdn Bhd
2. Maya Seni Holdings Sdn Bhd
3. Menara Ampang Sdn Bhd
4. Dream Cruiser Sdn Bhd
5. Landbelt Corporation Sdn Bhd
6. Kenari Teliti Sdn Bhd
7. Fnq Advanced Materials Sdn Bhd
8. Kota Tandop Development Sendirian Berhad
9. Alun-Alun Resort (M) Sdn Bhd
10. Dasar Seroja Sdn Bhd
11. Gigantic Promotions Sdn Bhd
12. Jupiter Alliance Sdn Bhd
13. Inayat Realty Sdn Bhd
14. Suasa Urus Sdn Bhd
15. Avillion Berhad
16. Meridian Haven Sdn Bhd
17. Avillion Vista Hotel Sdn Bhd
18. Vast Access Sdn Bhd
19. Fortune Valley Sdn Bhd
20. Reliance E-Com Sdn Bhd
21. Admiral Marina Berhad
22. Golden Envoy (M) Sdn Bhd
23. Mela Lifestyle Sdn Bhd
24. AVI SPA Sdn Bhd
25. Avillion Hotel Group Sdn Bhd
26. RPB Capital Holdings Sdn Bhd
27. Genius Field Sdn Bhd
28. Festive Place Sdn Bhd
29. Avillion Suite Hotel (PD) Sdn Bhd
30. Taman Unik Sdn Bhd
31. Admiral Cove Development Sdn Bhd
32. Nesline Sdn Bhd
33. RPB Development Sdn Bhd
34. OS Resources Sdn Bhd
35. Avillion Hotel (Kl) Sdn Bhd
36. Avillion Hotels International Sdn Bhd
37. Admiral Hill Hotel Sdn Bhd
38. Reliance Shipping & Travel Agencies (Perak) Sdn Berhad
Properties and Land
1. Lot 265, Seksyen 89, No. 325 Ritchie Condo, Kuala Lumpur
2. Lot 12, Seksyen 89, No. 327 Persiaran Ritchie, Kuala Lumpur
3. Unit 1D, NO 16, Jalan Taman U-Thant, Kuala Lumpur
4. 10, Jalan Wirawati, Taman Maluri, Kuala Lumpur
5. Rompin House, Bukit Fraser, Fraser’s Hill, Pahang
6. House near Jalan Kampung Pandan, Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur
7. 333, Jalan Kolam Air, Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpur
8. 204, Desa Kuda Lari, TK 1-A150 3, Kuala Lumpur
9. 333, Persiaran Ritchie, Desa Pahlawan, Kuala Lumpur
10. Socfin House-White Palace Kuala Lumpur
11. Lands near Taman Maluri, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur
12. Houses near Cinta Condominium, Jalan Madge Off Jalan U-Thant, Kuala Lumpur
13. Lot 12 & 13 Puncak Dani & Dani Lodge Gohtong Jaya Genting Highlands, Pahang
14. Unit No. W4DC-075 & 061, Phase 4D, Wangsa Melawati, Kuala Lumpur
15. Houses at Wisma Dani, 1, Jalan Jejaka 4, Maluri, Kuala Lumpur
16. Lands near Taman Dagang Ampang, Selangor
17. Lot 129 Seksyen 58, Menara Ampang, No. 149, Jalan Ampang, Selangor
18. Lands Lot No 1680 and 1681, Mukim Bujang Daerah Kuala Muda, Kedah
19. Double Storey Semi D, Phase 5B, Bukit Saujana, Ijok, Selangor
20. Suite # 8-13-6, Menara Mutiara Bangsar 8, Jalan Liku Off Jalan Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur
21. Avillion Port Dickson, 3rd Mile, Jalan Pantai, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan
22. Avillion Admiral Cove, 5½ Mile, Jalan Pantai, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan
23. Avillion Cameron Highlands, C-3-1 Jalan Camelia, Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands, Pahang
24. Admiral Marina & Leisure Club, 5 1/2 Miles Jalan Pantai, 71050, Si Rusa, Negeri Sembilan
25. AVI Pangkor Beach Resort, PT1130, Jalan Pasir Bogak, Pangkor, Perak