10-07-2025
Bid to block asset freeze
Toh Puan Na'imah Abdul Khalid, wife of the late Tun Daim Zainuddin at KL Court for the decision on application to refer legal question regarding validity of charge of failure to declare assets. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Six companies, including The Ilham Foundation, are seeking to intervene a bid by the anti-graft agency to freeze assets worth £132mil (RM760mil) in London, allegedly owned by the widow of Tun Daim Zainuddin and her family.
At the same time, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has been allowed by the High Court to amend the application to freeze the assets in United Kingdom (UK).
The assets comprise two commercial buildings at St Mary Axe and One Crown Court; three luxury residences at Bryanston Square, Bryanston Mews and Lancaster Gate; two residential units at Gloucester Place; and a CAF Bank Limited (UK) bank account allegedly held by The Ilham Foundation.
Justice Azhar Abdul Hamid made the ruling after deputy public prosecutor Maziah Mohaide told the court that the amendment involved additions to the details in the notice of motion of the application.
'The ex-parte application is to amend the notice of motion dated May 30, 2025, namely to add details to the address and the title number according to the format of the enforcement authorities in the United Kingdom and to amend the details of the date and purchase value of the immovable properties in the notice of motion,' said Maziah.
Lawyer Syed Afiq Syed Albakri, representing Daim's widow Toh Puan Na'imah Abdul Khalid (pic), revealed that six companies, including The Ilham Foundation, had applied to be interveners in the MACC's application.
DPP Maziah, however, objected to the application, Bernama reported.
Justice Azhar then ordered the prosecution to file an affidavit in reply to the application to intervene on July 25, while the six companies involved were to file their replies on Aug 6. The court also set Aug 8 for the case management.
On May 22, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said eight investigation papers were opened based on new information received from external agencies regarding the assets owned by Daim, his family and proxies.
Azam said the latest information indicated that the assets owned by Daim, his family and associates were not declared to the MACC during the 2023 investigation.
