PETALING JAYA:The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is seeking to seize and forfeit overseas assets worth RM3bil belonging to the late former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin and his family that were identified across 11 countries.
In a statement on Friday (July 11), the MACC said its Special Operations Division has identified offshore assets allegedly linked to the late Tun Daim, his wife Toh Puan Na'imah Khalid, their family members, and close associates.
These high value assets were located in the United Kingdom,the United States, Switzerland, Singapore, the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Jersey, Italy, Japan, Indonesia and a few countries in Africa, the anti-graft agency said.
This was based on a latest investigation which resulted from MACC’s cooperation with foreign enforcement agencies in the UK namely the National Crime Agency (NCA) and International Anti- Corruption Coordination Centre (IACCC)
On June 3, the MACC obtained a Restraining Order from the Kuala Lumpur High Court under Section 53 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 Act for seven assets in the UK worth RM758mil.
To this end, it said a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) application with the UK authorities is being processed through the Attorney General’s Chambers. Further discussions are also being held with the IACCC for effective and proper enforcement action.
Application has been filed for a restraining order against assets in Singapore and Jersey. The hearing for the restraining order application for the four bank accounts and investments worth RM1.15bil in Jersey and 12 bank accounts and investments worth RM540mil in Singapore took place on June 23 and June 25 at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
“Aside from that, requests for further information regarding assets in countries such as the United States, Switzerland, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Italy, and Japan are being submitted through cooperation with Bank Negara Malaysia, the IACCC, and MLA applications through the AGC, to enable legal and comprehensive action for asset seizure and forfeiture,” it said.
For assets in Malaysia, Ilham Tower was seized on June 5, and a forfeiture application was filed at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on June 25 for the property located at Jalan Binjai, Kuala Lumpur.
The MACC has also recorded statements from Na’imah and her son Muhammed Amir Zainuddin Daim, on June 14, in relation to undeclared extraordinary assets.
The MACC had also recorded the statement of the couple’s second son Muhammed Amin Zainuddin Daim, who is currently in the UK.
All three individuals are the main shareholders of Ilham Baru Sdn Bhd, which in turn is the majority shareholder of Ilham Tower Sdn Bhd and the beneficial owner of Ilham Tower.
“In line with Section 36(1) of the MACC Act 2009, Asset Declaration Notices have been served on July 10 to 22 individuals identified as relatives and close associates of the late Tun Daim and Na’mah for the purpose of identification and confirmation of ownership of assets,” it said.
The graft-busting agency stressed that the action taken was part of the MACC’s function as an anti-corruption agency to ensure there is no element of corruption, embezzlement or abuse of power in the management of the country’s wealth.
“The MACC is committed to continue investigations in an independent and transparent manner that is based on the law, without any interference or political interest,” it said.
