PUTRAJAYA: Frozen assets worth billions linked to the late finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, his family and his proxies, are currently in the process of asset forfeiture by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said that around RM2bil in assets was currently frozen.
“It could be more after we obtain certain information from overseas.
“We are communicating with authorities from other countries, including Switzerland, the United Kingdom and others.
“We have investigated him since February 2023 and have opened numerous investigation papers including the latest one.
“Even though he has passed on, the MACC is heading towards the direction of asset forfeiture and we are looking at assets that had not been declared previously,” he said at a press conference at the MACC headquarters here yesterday.
On Jan 29, 2024, Daim was charged with failing to declare his assets in the Sessions Court.
According to the charge sheet, Daim had intentionally given a written statement under oath that did not comply with the terms of notice under Section 36(1) (b) of the MACC Act 2009, whereby he did not declare assets as stated in Appendix A (which included a bank account, seven luxury cars, 38 companies and 25 plots of land and properties spread across Kuala Lumpur, Negri Sembilan, Pahang and Perak.
Daim was charged under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act 2009, which carries imprisonment of up to five years and a fine not exceeding RM100,000, upon conviction.
Daim was granted bail of RM280,000 in one surety.
However, he passed away on Nov 13 at the age of 86.
On the ongoing investigation into Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Azam said that the MACC will record the statement of his former son-in-law.
Datuk Jovian Mandagie is expected to have his statement recorded in the next two weeks.
“Jovian is based in Indonesia and we will need to record his statements. This is to confirm the assets declared by Ismail Sabri.
“There were some assets mentioned in Ismail Sabri’s statement that we need to verify. I believe it will be done within a week or two.
“Investigations are expected to be completed by the end of June when we will then refer it to the DPP for further action. If there is enough to charge then we will suggest doing so,” he said.
On the investigations into the disappearance of Datin Seri Pamela Ling Yueh, he said that it is fully a police matter.
“I maintain that this occurred outside the MACC and we leave it to the police to investigate. Whatever they wanted we have provided.
“We never called her with the intent to arrest her. To clear up issues, Pamela was (previously) arrested over failure to present herself to the MACC, not due to the investigation of the case.
“Failure to present themselves is an offence. That is all and it is separate from our investigation,” he said.
On April 9, Pamela was summoned to the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya to assist with an investigation under the MACC Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act.
However, she went missing while on her way to the appointment. Her lawyer filed a police report regarding her disappearance on the same day.
So far, no ransom demand has been made in connection with her disappearance.
