MACC Files Forfeiture Application For Menara Ilham
KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has filed a forfeiture application for the Menara Ilham building linked to the late former finance minister, Tun Daim Zainuddin.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the 60-storey building is among the latest assets subject to forfeiture proceedings involving Daim, his wife Toh Puan Na'imah Abdul Khalid and several of their local proxies.
'We will initiate the (forfeiture) process today, and I must say, it is not a simple task as there are many steps involved, and the documents (related to Menara Ilham) are extensive.
'In the next one to two weeks, more applications will be filed for properties linked to the individuals concerned,' he said at a press conference at the MACC headquarters here today.
Azam also said the MACC has obtained a Restraining Order in Malaysia against assets belonging to Daim and related parties in the United Kingdom, estimated to be worth RM700 million.
Following this, UK authorities have been notified and agreed to file a Restraining Order application in UK courts based on Malaysia's request.
Earlier this month, the MACC once again seized Menara Ilham after securing permission from the Deputy Public Prosecutor to do so.
On Monday, the High Court temporarily suspended an order to freeze seven properties, including three luxury residences in London, and one bank account, allegedly belonging to Na'imah and her family.
Previously, the MACC had obtained an ex parte order to freeze the seven properties and one bank account, all of which are valued at £132 million (RM758.2 million), under Section 53 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA) 2001.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Three police reports lodged over KL rally, says Dang Wangi OCPD
KUALA LUMPUR: Police have received three reports about an incident that occurred during a rally held in the capital on Saturday (June 28) afternoon, including a scuffle that resulted in minor injuries to a police personnel. Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman said the rally, which was joined by about 100 people, began at 3.02pm outside a shopping mall along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman before it proceeded to Dataran Merdeka, Jalan Raja. A participant lit a flare at about 4.30pm, causing thick smoke that could have threatened the safety and health of other participants, security personnel and the public in the vicinity. "The police took preventive measures to control the situation but there was a scuffle between participants and personnel. A police personnel suffered minor injuries," he said in a statement Saturday. An investigation paper was opened under Section 353 of the Penal Code, as well as Section 3(5) and 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955. He also advised the public not to speculate as it could disrupt investigations and to channel related information to the Kuala Lumpur police hotline at 03-2115 9999 or the Dang Wangi police headquarters control centre at 03-2600 2222. - Bernama
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
UK authorities join forfeiture bid on Daim's assets
PUTRAJAYA: Steps to forfeit assets belonging to the late finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, his family and proxies in the United Kingdom have begun, says the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). Chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the agency had also filed applications for the forfeiture of Ilham Tower yesterday. 'On June 5, we have filed for a restraining order on assets in UK worth RM700mil. We have informed the authorities in the UK and yesterday they informed us they have filed the same to their courts. 'This is a new development where the UK authorities agree with our request in Malaysia and the process will be continued at their courts,' he said this at a press conference here yesterday. 'On the defendant's side they have filed for an intervention and the courts have set July 9 for it. This is for case management and the restraining order application remains. Meanwhile on the forfeiture proceedings of Ilham Tower, he said, it would not be an easy process. 'There is a lot to be done and the documents involved are also quite thick,' he said. Media reports on June 3 stated that three luxury homes in London were among the seven properties and one bank account said to belong to Na'imah and her family, involving a total value of UK£132mil (RM758.2mil), which were frozen by the MACC. MACC investigations found that the movable and immovable assets were linked to alleged offences under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA) 2001. Ilham Tower, owned by Daim's family, was first seized by MACC in December 2023 in its anti-money laundering probe involving a corporate transaction of RM2.3bil (US$500mil) in November 1997 involving public-listed Renong Bhd and United Engineers Malaysia Bhd (UEM), both linked to Umno. In an unrelated matter, Azam said that there was no decision made yet on any criminal charges on former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. 'All investigation papers have been forwarded to the DPP and we have been told that they have agreed to file for the asset forfeiture on the monies seized, worth around RM170mil, in the coming two weeks. It is up to him to challenge our application. 'Regarding criminal charges, we are awaiting the DPP's decision. I do not know when they will be but I believe a decision will be made within a month,' he said. He added that on their end investigations have been deemed completed. When asked on the role of Ismail Sabri's former son-in-law Datuk Jovian Mandagie in the investigation, he said that he is a witness. On March 3, Azam had disclosed that Ismail Sabri is a suspect in an ongoing corruption and money laundering investigation following the discovery of approximately RM170mil in cash at a safe house during a raid. The cash, held in numerous currencies such as baht, riyal, pound sterling, won, euro, Swiss franc and yuan, was seized alongside 16kg of pure gold bars valued at nearly RM7mil. Additionally, 13 bank accounts containing over RM2mil have been frozen as part of the probe. The investigation focuses on funding sources and expenditures related to promotional and publicity activities during Ismail Sabri's tenure.
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Indonesian urges safer hiking after tourist death on Mount Rinjanil; Malaysian hiker rescued after suffering injury at same mountain
In this undated photo released by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, a rescuer climbs down the ridge of Mount Rinjani during the evacuation operation for Juliana Marins, a Brazilian tourist who fell while hiking near the volcano's summit, in Lombok, Indonesia. -- BASARNAS via AP JAKARTA (Bernama): Indonesia's Tourism Ministry has urged visitors to Mount Rinjani National Park in West Nusa Tenggara to use only licensed operators and certified guides when undertaking extreme activities such as hiking. The appeal follows the death of Brazilian tourist Juliana Marins, 26, who fell while trekking in the park on June 21. Her body was found four days later at a depth of around 600 metres, but poor weather and difficult terrain delayed recovery efforts until June 25. Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana has called on all visitors to strictly observe safety protocols and avoid venturing off designated trails. "Report any breaches of standard operating procedures immediately via WhatsApp at +62 811-895-6767,' she said in a statement, adding that tourist safety is a shared responsibility. The minister described the incident as a tragic reminder of the serious risks associated with extreme tourism, and said it should serve as a turning point in the enforcement of safety standards. "This incident reminds us that every extreme tourism destination carries significant risk,' she added. The fatal fall comes just weeks after a Malaysian climber died on the same mountain in early May after plunging roughly 80 metres into a ravine. Meanwhile, A Malaysian hiker was rescued after slipping and sustaining injuries while trekking to Danau Segara Anak on Mount Rinjani, located in Indonesia's West Nusa Tenggara province, officials said on Saturday. The incident occurred at 3.20 pm local time on Friday, when a local guide alerted the Sembalun Resort about the injured foreign national, identified as Nazli Awan Mahat. Mount Rinjani National Park Authority (BTNGR) head Yarman said the hiker was successfully evacuated on Saturday and brought to the Sembalun Community Health Centre at 8.30 am. "The hiker's condition was stable and he was able to carry out normal activities," he said in a statement. Rescue efforts began at 3.22 pm local time on Friday, involving an eight-member evacuation team comprising medical personnel from the Emergency Mountain Health Centre. Mount Rinjani, an active volcano standing 3,726 metres above sea level, is one of Indonesia's most popular hiking destinations, attracting thousands of adventurers each year. The Sembalun Resort is part of the park's eastern management zone, overseeing forest conservation and tourism activities. - Bernama
