MACC to seek restraining orders on Daim-linked assets in six more countries

New Straits Times

6 hours ago

KOTA BARU: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will apply for court orders to restrain assets linked to former finance minister the late Tun Daim Zainuddin in six additional countries.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the move follows a similar order obtained recently in the United Kingdom to freeze Daim's assets there.
"As I announced earlier, we secured a restraining order in the UK and have forwarded the request to the British authorities for further action in court," he told reporters after witnessing the hand‑over of duties between outgoing state MACC director Rosli Husain and his successor Azmin Yusoff here today.
Azam said any overseas forfeiture must proceed through the legal framework of each jurisdiction, and the MACC is working closely with its foreign counterparts to supply the necessary information.
"We are preparing identical applications for six more countries. Each will be channelled through Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) and the Attorney‑General's Chambers," he added.
Domestically, the MACC has filed a forfeiture application for Menara Ilham, the landmark tower associated with Daim. The court has fixed a date for hearing.
"As for Daim's other assets in Malaysia, we are bringing them to court case by case, depending on whether we can establish elements of wrongdoing that justify forfeiture," Azam said.
He declined to disclose the total value or full list of assets, citing ongoing proceedings.
"To date, the two key developments are the UK restraining order and the Menara Ilham forfeiture. More will follow as the process unfolds."
On 28 June, it was reported that, after the UK, at least five other jurisdictions have come under MACC scrutiny as it tracks high‑value assets allegedly linked to Daim, his family, and proxies that were not declared to investigators.
Sources say the assets are believed to be located in the United States, Singapore, Japan, Italy and Jersey, the Channel Island off Normandy. Additional locations may also be targeted as enquiries progress.
The MACC is expected to seek restraining orders in each jurisdiction to prevent any disposal or transfer of the assets while investigations continue.
In the UK, it was reported that authorities have already agreed to freeze properties and assets worth an estimated £132 million RM700 million) belonging to Daim's wife, Toh Puan Na'imah Abdul Khalid.