![[UPDATED] Daim's family condemns MACC's 'vindictive' call to seize assets](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FTun_Puan_Na%25E2%2580%2599imah_230525_1747971023.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
[UPDATED] Daim's family condemns MACC's 'vindictive' call to seize assets
KUALA LUMPUR: The family of the late Tun Daim Zainuddin has strongly criticised Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki for what they claim is a politically charged and legally unsound call to seize the former finance minister's alleged undeclared assets.
Lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan, who appeared for Daim's widow Tun Puan Na'imah Abdul Khalid and family, condemned Azam's remarks as "absurd, untenable and vindictive."
"Why the MACC chief is making press statements instead of applying to the court is difficult to understand.
"To suggest Daim's assets be seized is an absurd, untenable and vindictive suggestion as Daim has died and no charges are pending against him.
"On what basis can his assets, now administered by his estate, be seized?
"Did the MACC seek and receive legal advice before saying this?" he said in a statement today.
The lawyer also questioned whether Azam had consulted the Attorney-General before making the statement, saying it "beggars' belief" that the MACC would act without sound legal advice.
He said that the forfeiture of assets is only permitted when a 'serious offence', as defined in the Second Schedule of the Anti-Money Laundering Act 2001, has been proven in court and is supported by a court order.
"No such charge has ever been brought against Daim, except for the technical offence of non-declaration of assets, which is not a 'serious offence.'
"Forfeiture certainly cannot be done over this newest claim of alleged non-declaration of assets, made by Azam yesterday.
"In other words, property of citizens cannot be simply forfeited because the MACC or the government claims to have suspicions about the source or origin of the assets.
If that is the case, no one's property will be safe," he said, adding that the endless campaign of slander, harassment and intimidation directed towards Daim's widow and family is disgraceful, high-handed and must stop.
It was reported that Azam said eight new investigation papers have been opened in the probe into the ownership of the properties, which are worth more than RM2 billion.
Azam said they were working towards forfeiting ownership of properties belonging to the former finance minister and his family, worth in excess of RM2 billion.
He said the commission had been conducting a probe into Daim since February 2023 and had opened several investigation papers, including the latest ones initiated recently.
Daim died Daim died on Nov 12, last year, at the age of 86.
Following Daim's passing, the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court discharged and acquitted him of charges related to failing to comply with a notice under Section 254 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC).
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