KUALA LUMPUR: The daughter of the late finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin has been charged in the Sessions Court over her alleged failure to comply with a notice issued by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Asnida Abdul Daim, 65, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out before Sessions Court judge Rosli Ahmad here on Tuesday (April 7).
According to the charge sheet, Asnida is accused of deliberately giving a statement under oath that did not comply with a notice issued under Section 36(1)(b) of the MACC Act 2009, dated Nov 8, 2023, which had been served on her by an MACC officer. She is further alleged to have failed, on Nov 14, 2023, to declare her assets as specified in Appendix A of the notice.
The assets in question are shareholdings in five companies: Amiraz Sdn Bhd, Arida Farms Sdn Bhd, Kangkung Catering Sdn Bhd, Transgrade Sdn Bhd and Gajah3 Foods Sdn Bhd. The offence was allegedly committed at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya on Dec 13, 2023.
Asnida was charged under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act 2009, which carries a maximum jail term of five years and a fine of up to RM100,000, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat proposed bail at RM100,000.
He said the offence is classified as non-bailable but offered the amount in the event the court exercises its discretion to grant bail.
He also applied for Asnida’s passport to be impounded pending the disposal of the case.
“According to our checks, the accused is often overseas, so this is necessary to control her movement,” he said.
Meanwhile, defence counsel Datuk Dr Gurdial Singh Nijar said the charge against his client was technical in nature and that she was merely a witness.
“This is not a serious or grave offence. This concerns a shortfall involving five properties, which they now want to criminalise and send her to prison.
“The MACC is asking a witness for a list and then says the list is insufficient. I do not know what their objective is in pursuing this against my client.
“There is no question of her absconding as she is 65 years old,” Gurdial added.
Judge Rosli set bail at RM50,000 in one surety.
The court fixed May 21 for mention.
