Latest news with #RM758.2
Malaysiakini
a day ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Legal storm hits PM, Dr M unfurls 'big umbrella'
Good morning. Wishing our Muslim readers Selamat Hari Raya Aidiladha. Here's our news and views that matter for today. Key Highlights Legal storm hits PM, Dr M unfurls 'big umbrella' Daim's dynasty under fire, his widow fires back Rafizi in green, trading blows with Anwar? Legal storm hits PM, Dr M unfurls 'big umbrella' The Kuala Lumpur High Court has denied Anwar Ibrahim's bid to suspend his ex-aide Yusoff Rawther's civil suit in relation to a sexual assault allegation. Ordering that the trial proceeds on June 16 as scheduled, the court further ruled that the eight constitutional questions the prime minister sought to refer to the Federal Court did not meet the required threshold. Anwar has insisted that his bid to suspend the lawsuit was never about seeking personal immunity from litigation but 'concerns the integrity of our constitutional system and the need to ensure that high public office is protected from litigation that may be strategically timed, politically motivated, or institutionally disruptive'. Adding to the prime minister's list of political headaches, his age-defying nemesis, Dr Mahathir Mohamad - now well into his wizard years - has unveiled another grand scheme to unseat his former apprentice and 'save the Malays'. The politician, who is just a month away from blowing out 100 birthday candles, unveiled a new Malay secretariat committee - pitched as a 'big umbrella' for the community. HIGHLIGHTS Daim's dynasty under fire, his widow fires back The MACC has secured approval to seize Daim Zainuddin's Ilham Tower once again, much to the frustration of the late former finance minister's lawyers, who have accused the commission of 'playing musical chairs with the law'. This development follows closely after the Kuala Lumpur High Court granted permission for the commission to seize seven properties belonging to Daim's family. Among the assets seized through an ex parte application are three luxury homes in London and a bank account reportedly valued at RM758.2 million. Daim's widow Na'imah Abdul Khalid has vowed to challenge the seizure and 'to not bow down to bullies'. 'A line has been crossed. 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 emphasised. HIGHLIGHTS Rafizi in green, trading blows with Anwar? Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has expressed a desire to see former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli go head-to-head with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in the next general election. He has urged PAS to make every effort to court Rafizi - who recently resigned as economy minister - and nominate him to contest the prime minister's parliamentary seat in Tambun, Perak. The ex-law minister also encouraged the Islamist party to approach former PKR vice-president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, suggesting that he contest in Bentong, which is DAP MP Young Syefura Othman's seat. Both Rafizi and Nik Nazm resigned as ministers after failing to defend their respective party positions in the PKR polls. Previously, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan clarified that while the party has no plans to recruit the two leaders into Perikatan Nasional, it would not oppose their cooperation with the opposition bloc in Parliament. HIGHLIGHTS Views that matter In case you missed it Other news that matter
![[UPDATED] MACC targets seized assets in forfeiture bid over Daim's undeclared estate](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2Fphoto_2025-06-04_14-12-47_1749017773.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![[UPDATED] MACC targets seized assets in forfeiture bid over Daim's undeclared estate](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] MACC targets seized assets in forfeiture bid over Daim's undeclared estate
KUALA LUMPUR: The seven properties and one bank account belonging to Toh Puan Na'imah Abdul Khalid and her family, which were seized by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) yesterday, are part of the late Tun Daim Zainuddin's RM2 billion estate that the commission is seeking to forfeit over allegations of non-declaration. MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the commission applied for a restraining order to freeze the overseas assets linked to Na'imah and her family, to prevent the disposal of properties and assets by certain parties. "In this case, we have submitted a court application for a restraining order to freeze the assets located abroad. "We will also continue with further investigations into the seized accounts, as we need to ensure they are not disposed of," he said when contacted today. Sources revealed that the seven properties and one bank account belonging to Tun Daim Zainuddin's wife and her family, are being targeted by MACC for forfeiture due to non-disclosure. These properties are part of the RM2 billion estate belonging to the former finance minister and his family. It is understood that the seized assets are high-value properties identified in the eight new investigation papers recently opened by the MACC. Azam explained that if the restraining order was not obtained, there was a high likelihood that the assets that are believed not to have been declared would be disposed of. When asked if the MACC is eyeing assets in other countries, he said they were looking into it. Yesterday, the MACC obtained a court order to freeze assets worth more than £132 million (about RM758.2 million) belonging to Na'imah in London. The ex-parte order was granted by High Court Judge Datuk Azahar Abdul Hamid after the court was satisfied that the assets were potentially linked to offences under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. Among the assets are two commercial buildings totalling £55.2 million; five luxury residences totalling £77.115 million and a bank account owned by Ilham Foundation. Deputy public prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat confirmed this when contacted. Last month, the MACC was reported to be seeking to forfeit several overseas properties belonging to Daim that had not been declared. Azam had said that eight new investigation papers (IP) were opened in the probe into the ownership of the properties, which are worth in excess of RM2 billion. The investigation papers were initiated based on new information received from foreign agencies regarding properties and assets linked to Daim, his family members and proxies. He also said that they were looking into properties and assets abroad that were not disclosed in his previously submitted asset declaration.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Daim family assets frozen to prevent disposal during probe
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said it froze seven properties and one bank account belonging to the late Tun Daim Zainuddin's wife, Toh Puan Na'imah Abdul Khalid, to prevent the assets from being disposed of while investigations are ongoing. MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the move was part of the commission's preliminary actions to facilitate further investigation. 'In this case, we have submitted a court application for a prohibition order to freeze the overseas assets. If such an order is not obtained, there is a high possibility that the assets, believed not to have been declared, may be disposed of,' he said in a statement today. Media reports yesterday stated that three luxury homes in London are among the seven properties and one bank account said to belong to Na'imah and her family, involving a total value of £132 million (RM758.2 million), which were frozen by the MACC. MACC investigations found that the movable and immovable assets were linked to alleged offences under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA) 2001. The MACC's application, represented by deputy public prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat, to freeze the assets was granted by High Court Judge Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid in an ex parte proceeding yesterday. Meanwhile, former MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad said the legally accurate term in this case is a prohibitory order, not a freezing order. He explained that 'freezing' typically refers to action under Section 44 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), which usually involves bank accounts and specific financial instruments. In contrast, this case involves a prohibitory order under Section 53 of AMLA, which pertains to restrictions on transactions involving overseas assets suspected of being linked to unlawful activities. 'However, the issuance of a prohibitory order does not imply or presume that the assets in question were obtained through corruption or illegal means,' he added. 'The purpose of this order is simply to block any transactions involving the specified assets while MACC investigations are ongoing. It is a temporary measure to maintain the status quo and prevent disposal of the assets during the investigation,' he said in a statement. Dzulkifli, who is also a lawyer, noted that the High Court's prohibitory order was issued through an ex parte application, meaning it was made without prior notice or the presence of the affected parties. At that stage, he added, the individuals subject to the order have not yet been given the opportunity to respond or challenge the application in court.
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Naimah to challenge MACC's freezing order on overseas assets
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. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
![[UPDATED] Daim's widow to fight 'politically motivated' asset freeze](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2Fnhdaim_NSTfield_image_socialmedia.var_1749011010.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Daim's widow to fight 'politically motivated' asset freeze
KUALA LUMPUR: Toh Puan Na'imah Abdul Khalid will file a challenge to set aside the ex parte court order obtained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) yesterday to freeze assets worth more £132 million (about RM758.2 million). In a statement today, the widow of former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin said she was never notified of MACC's action, calling it a shocking infringement of the most basic legal norms. "I will fight this politically motivated, reckless, vindictive and lawless action, through all legal means at my disposal," she said in a statement shared by her lawyer, Rajesh Nagarajan. The ex-parte order granted by Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid involved assets such as two commercial buildings totalling £55,200,000; five luxury residences totalling £77,115,000 and a bank account owned by Ilham Foundation. Na'imah said the MACC had obtained this ex parte order secretly, in silence behind closed doors, to freeze properties abroad that are lawfully owned. She said such seizure by the government without notice to the legal owner is a dangerous precedent. "I should have been allowed to have my say in court. No reasonable person will say this was in accordance with fairness or the rules of natural justice. "They obtained the order by ambush. There is no provision under the law authorising such an ex parte application to be made. "And now they hide behind the cloak of legality to justify what is nothing short of institutionalised theft. "The most disturbing and shocking aspect of this is that it is being done despite no crime of any kind being proven against Daim," she said. Na'imah, however, said it was no surprise to her that the MACC would resort to such blatant methods, saying such tactics are natural consequences of the long and continuous smear campaign against her family since late 2022. She said she will resist the line that had been crossed and will not bow down to bullies. Previously, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki had said that eight new investigation papers related to Daim's family have been opened as part of the probe into properties valued at over 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 on Nov 12 last year, at the age of 86.
