[UPDATED] MACC targets seized assets in forfeiture bid over Daim's undeclared estate

New Straits Times

05-06-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: The seven properties and one bank account belonging to Toh Puan Na'imah Abdul Khalid and her family, which were seized by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) yesterday, are part of the late Tun Daim Zainuddin's RM2 billion estate that the commission is seeking to forfeit over allegations of non-declaration.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the commission applied for a restraining order to freeze the overseas assets linked to Na'imah and her family, to prevent the disposal of properties and assets by certain parties.
"In this case, we have submitted a court application for a restraining order to freeze the assets located abroad.
"We will also continue with further investigations into the seized accounts, as we need to ensure they are not disposed of," he said when contacted today.
Sources revealed that the seven properties and one bank account belonging to Tun Daim Zainuddin's wife and her family, are being targeted by MACC for forfeiture due to non-disclosure.
These properties are part of the RM2 billion estate belonging to the former finance minister and his family.
It is understood that the seized assets are high-value properties identified in the eight new investigation papers recently opened by the MACC.
Azam explained that if the restraining order was not obtained, there was a high likelihood that the assets that are believed not to have been declared would be disposed of.
When asked if the MACC is eyeing assets in other countries, he said they were looking into it.
Yesterday, the MACC obtained a court order to freeze assets worth more than £132 million (about RM758.2 million) belonging to Na'imah in London.
The ex-parte order was granted by High Court Judge Datuk Azahar Abdul Hamid after the court was satisfied that the assets were potentially linked to offences under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
Among the assets are two commercial buildings totalling £55.2 million; five luxury residences totalling £77.115 million and a bank account owned by Ilham Foundation.
Deputy public prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat confirmed this when contacted.
Last month, the MACC was reported to be seeking to forfeit several overseas properties belonging to Daim that had not been declared.
Azam had said that eight new investigation papers (IP) were opened in the probe into the ownership of the properties, which are worth in excess of RM2 billion.
The investigation papers were initiated based on new information received from foreign agencies regarding properties and assets linked to Daim, his family members and proxies.
He also said that they were looking into properties and assets abroad that were not disclosed in his previously submitted asset declaration.