Naimah to challenge MACC's freezing order on overseas assets

Daily Express

04-06-2025

Published on: Wednesday, June 04, 2025
Published on: Wed, Jun 04, 2025
By: FMT Reporters Text Size: MACC obtained a court order to freeze £132 million or RM758.2 million worth of assets in London belonging to Naimah Khalid and her family. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA: Naimah Khalid, the widow of former finance minister Daim Zainuddin, will challenge the court order obtained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to freeze RM758 million worth of assets abroad linked to her and her family. Naimah claimed that the assets were lawfully acquired and that her lawyers would immediately move to set aside the freezing order, which was granted ex parte. 'I will challenge this order to defend what should never be taken from any of us: our rights, our voice, and a country governed by law, not by fear. 'Let there be no doubt that I will fight this politically motivated, reckless, vindictive and lawless action, through all legal means at my disposal,' she said in a statement today. She argued that no reasonable person would say the order was in accordance with fairness or the rules of natural justice, accusing MACC of obtaining it by ambush. The Kuala Lumpur High Court reportedly granted MACC's application to freeze £132 million (RM758.2 million) worth of assets in London belonging to Naimah and her family. The assets include two commercial buildings, five luxury residences, and one bank account, Utusan Malaysia reported. Naimah alleged that the move was part of a 'long and continuous smear campaign' against her family by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki since late 2022. 'No crime of any kind has ever been proven against Daim. No charges were brought in his lifetime, and none after his death,' she said, adding that the Anti-Money Laundering Act cited by MACC required a serious offence to be proven first. She warned that failure to push back against such actions would embolden those in power to act with impunity. 'A line has been crossed. And if we do not resist, there may soon be no lines left at all. Then no Malaysian will be safe from the reach of unchecked power,' she said. Daim was charged in January last year with failing to declare assets to MACC, including interests in 38 companies, 19 land plots in five states, six properties, two unit trust accounts and seven luxury vehicles. MACC said he had asked for five deadline extensions but still failed to comply. After Daim's death on Nov 13 last year, the prosecution withdrew the charges, and the court granted an order discharging and acquitting him. Naimah also faces an asset declaration charge. She is accused of failing to declare her ownership in various companies, several plots of land here and in Penang, and two vehicles. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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