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![[UPDATED] Na'imah to challenge MACC's second seizure of Ilham Tower](/_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
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Na'imah to challenge MACC's second seizure of Ilham Tower
KUALA LUMPUR: Toh Puan Na'imah Abdul Khalid will challenge in court the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) second seizure of Ilham Tower. In a statement, her lawyers Rajesh Nagarajan and Sachpreetraj Singh Sohanpal described the repeated action as "pure harassment" and accused the MACC of acting beyond the bounds of the law. "This is the most ridiculous action yet taken by the MACC. The same building has already been seized, and yet it is now being seized again. Is the MACC playing musical chairs with the law?" the statement read. The lawyers also criticised the authorities for allegedly targeting Na'imah's late husband, former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, despite no corruption charges having been brought against him. "It bears repeating that, despite the prime minister and the MACC chief's repeated allegations and insinuations against Daim, no offence of corruption has been brought against him. "Now, having failed to bring any charges, they are harassing our client with a second seizure," they said. They added that the move, without any evidence of wrongdoing, violated the rule of law and amounted to persecution. Earlier, the MACC said it had been authorised to seize Ilham Tower once again, a building owned by Daim's family. The commission said it had obtained authorisation from the deputy public prosecutor. According to the MACC, the seizure was based on a Notice of Seizure of Immovable Property under Section 51(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA), dated June 4. It added that authorisation for the seizure was granted pursuant to powers conferred on the public prosecutor under Section 376(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code. Ilham Tower, located in downtown Kuala Lumpur near the Petronas Twin Towers, houses a four-star hotel, office spaces, a gallery, and other facilities. This is not the first time the MACC has seized the In December 2023, it was reported that the MACC had invoked its powers to seize ownership of the multi-million ringgit tower. Sources said the seizure period was 18 months, the longest ever obtained by the commission. It was understood that the move was part of the MACC's investigation into a corporate transaction valued at RM2.3 billion involving publicly listed Renong Bhd and United Engineers Malaysia Bhd (UEM). A news portal had reported that the seizure was linked to Daim's refusal to comply with MACC requests to declare his and his family's financial holdings. However, the MACC had previously seized various immovable properties, including land, fishing vessels, and oil tankers, as part of its investigations. The seizure notice for Ilham Tower was dated Dec 18, 2023, and published as an advertisement in several newspapers, including the New Straits Times, on Dec 21 the same year.
The Sun
6 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.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
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 than £132 million (approximately RM758.2 million). In a statement today, the widow of former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin said she was never notified of the MACC's action, calling it a shocking violation of fundamental 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 Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
MACC gets nod to freeze assets of Daim's wife
KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here has allowed an application by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to freeze assets worth £132mil in London, allegedly owned by Toh Puan Na'imah Abdul Khalid, wife of the late Tun Daim Zainuddin, and her family. Justice Azhar Abdul Hamid allowed the ex-parte application by the MACC under Section 53 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 for investigation under Section 4(1) of the same law. 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 belonging to The Ilham Foundation. Deputy public prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat confirmed the matter, Bernama reported. On May 22, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said eight investigation papers had been opened based on new information received from external agencies regarding the assets owned by Daim, his family and proxies, which were not declared to the MACC during the investigation in 2023.
New Straits Times
7 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
News@9: Today's top headlines - June 3, 2025
Here are today's biggest stories. Assets frozen MACC has obtained a court order to freeze more than RM750 million in assets belonging to Toh Puan Na'imah Abdul Khalid in London, potentially linked to offences under the Anti-Money Laundering Act 2001. The Petroleum Dealers Association of Malaysia has called for the postponement of the RON95 subsidy rationalisation until two critical issues are resolved. Journalists should serve as a bridge to help the public understand the ethical implications and appropriateness of using emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. The MCMC will work closely with Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said on a proposal to make it mandatory for parents to monitor their children's online activities. That's it for News@9.
