Only two lawyers no longer on team, Daim's counsel clarifies

PUTRAJAYA: Tun Daim Zainuddin’s lawyer has clarified that only two lawyers in his legal team are no longer representing the former finance minister.

Lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan, who is one of Daim’s legal counsels, said that news reports that Daim had discharged his legal team are inaccurate.

“Only (Datuk) Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden and Alex Tan no longer represent him.

“Senior counsel M. Puravalen continues to represent Tun Daim and his wife Toh Puan Na’imah Khalid,” said Rajesh in a statement on Friday (Jan 26).

A news portal reported that Daim Zainuddin and Naimah had discharged the team of lawyers assembled to defend them in an investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) into their financial affairs and the ensuing prosecution.

The portal quoted sources that the legal team’s retainer was terminated on Wednesday due to a difference of opinion in the conduct of the couple’s cases.

According to the source, the team was assembled a month ago.

On Tuesday (Jan 23), Naimah claimed trial in the sessions court on a charge of failing to comply with a MACC notice requiring the declaration of assets.

She is accused of failing to declare her ownership of companies, several plots of land here and in Penang, as well as two vehicles.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki was reported to have said that Daim was expected to be charged next week.