Aug 12 ruling on Naimah's constitutional reference appeal
KUALA LUMPUR : The High Court has set Aug 12 to deliver its decision on Naimah Khalid's appeal against a lower court's refusal to refer constitutional questions concerning the validity of her asset declaration charge to the Federal Court.
Justice K Muniandy set the date after hearing submissions from deputy public prosecutor Law Chin How and Naimah's lawyer, Gurdial Singh Nijar.
Naimah, the widow of the late Daim Zainuddin, claimed trial in the sessions court last year to a charge of failing to comply with the terms of an asset declaration notice issued by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
She was charged under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act 2009 with failing to declare her ownership of companies, several plots of land here and in Penang, and two vehicles.
In her reference application, she claimed that Section 30(5) of the Act violated her rights against self-incrimination and to a fair trial.
Section 30(5) provides that all persons to whom a notice is issued shall be legally bound to truthfully disclose all information within their knowledge, available to them or capable of being obtained by them.
The sessions court dismissed her application earlier this year.
Earlier today, Law told the court that Section 30(5) was legally sound, arguing that the provision was designed to compel individuals assisting in graft-related investigations to 'tell the truth'.
He added that Naimah – who was summoned as a witness in a probe against Daim – had no right 'to remain silent' in the course of MACC investigations.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Rafizi, Nik Nazmi skip Pakatan MPs' meeting with Anwar
Rafizi Ramli (left) and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad quit their Cabinet posts after losing the PKR deputy president and vice-president's posts, respectively, in the party elections in May. PETALING JAYA : PKR duo Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad are not attending a meeting between Pakatan Harapan MPs and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Rafizi was quoted by Malaysiakini as saying he already knew what Anwar would be 'explaining' in the meeting being held at Seri Perdana in Putrajaya. The former PKR deputy president did not disclose the specific issue, which he said had started to court national attention. 'I was privy to the explanation in the past few months, so I would imagine that the prime minister would explain the same thing. Before this, the issue was not national and the explanation was limited to just a few of us. 'I think that is the reason the prime minister prefers to hold a closed door meeting with the MPs rather than addressing it publicly, because he feels there is some sensitive information that I was privy to in previous months, way back before I resigned (as economy minister),' he said. Nik Nazmi said he could not attend the meeting as he is in Singapore for a trip that was organised much earlier. Rafizi and Nik Nazmi had resigned from their Cabinet posts after losing the PKR deputy president and vice-president's posts, respectively, in the party elections in May. PH MPs started arriving at the prime minister's official residence at about 3.45pm, with Anwar expected to explain several 'important issues' and current affairs. Anwar also met Barisan Nasional MPs on Friday night, which he said was to clear the air on several current issues, including taxation, the RON95 petrol subsidy, and matters involving the judiciary.
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
PM to brief govt MPs on key issues this evening, says Fadhlina
Education minister Fadhlina Sidek (centre) visiting SMK Taman Waiduri to observe the progress of Program Anak Kita, an effort between the finance and education ministries and Yayasan Hasanah. NIBONG TEBAL : Education minister Fadhlina Sidek says the closed-door meeting between the prime minister and MPs later this evening is meant to help government MPs prepare for the upcoming sitting of Parliament. She said the session would involve briefings on major current issues and allow MPs to receive clarity on the government's stand. 'I think it's a very progressive step, with explanations given directly by the prime minister himself,' she told reporters at SMK Taman Widuri here. The next Parliament session begins next week. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim met Barisan Nasional MPs at Seri Perdana on Friday in a closed-door meeting believed to have focused on current national issues. Key figures present included deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and defence minister Khaled Nordin. No statements were given to the media. Fadhlina was at SMK Taman Waiduri to observe the progress of Program Anak Kita, a tripartite effort by the finance and education ministries and Yayasan Hasanah. It gives academic support to poor students through personal coaching, counselling, and digital tools. In Penang, 460, 2024 SPM candidates under the programme recorded a 99% exam attendance rate, with 93% qualifying for the SPM certificate. The programme also saw over 1,000 students nationwide improve from failing grades, particularly in core subjects like Bahasa Melayu, history and mathematics.
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
‘Stay tuned', Anwar teases on major announcement
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim uploaded a poster which said that an 'extraordinary gesture of appreciation for Malaysians' is 'coming soon'. PETALING JAYA : Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has hinted that a major announcement will be made in the coming days, while a PKR MP says a resolution has been reached involving judicial appointments and the chief justice's post. In a social media post, Anwar uploaded a poster which said that an 'extraordinary gesture of appreciation for Malaysians' is 'coming soon'. 'Stay tuned,' the prime minister said simply in his post. Separately, Segamat MP R Yuneswaran said he was made to understand that a resolution to the issue involving the judiciary has been reached and an official statement is expected in two to three days. 'Therefore, I urge all parties to stay calm and refrain from making speculations that could only worsen the situation,' he said on X. It is unclear if the announcement Anwar teased about is related to the decision involving the judiciary. Yuneswaran said he was confident that Anwar and the government were committed to ensuring the independence of the judiciary and to preventing the executive from interfering in the process of appointing judges. Subang MP Wong Chen also said on Facebook that an announcement would be made in a couple of days. He said he managed to speak at Anwar's meeting with PH MPs and raised all that he needed to bring up. 'I said what I needed to say, so wait for the news. There will be an announcement in a couple of days,' said the PKR MP. Earlier, government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil said PH MPs were briefed on the issue involving the judiciary, among others, in the meeting which lasted nearly two hours. Anwar, meanwhile, said the meeting went 'very well'. The prime minister had also met Barisan Nasional MPs on Friday night, which he said was to clear the air on several current issues, including taxation, the RON95 petrol subsidy, and matters involving the judiciary.
