KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 23): Toh Puan Na'imah Abdul Khalid, the wife of Tun Daim Zainuddin, has cautioned Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that there would be a “reckoning” for those who abuse their power, after she was charged at the Sessions court here on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse after she posted bail amounting to RM250,000 for the single charge of not declaring her assets to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Na’imah read a statement which ended in the warning to Anwar.

“Finally, I say to this to you, Anwar Ibrahim, that power is brief and there is always a reckoning for those who abuse it,” she said.

When asked why the warning was targeted specifically at Anwar, Na’imah’s coy reply was: “Well, I think it’s obvious.”

She ended her statement with a quote from a Shakespeare play Measure for measure.

“As the bard whom you often quote says: ‘Man, proud man. Drest in a little brief authority.” 

In her statement, Na’imah maintained that while she has been charged, she has not committed the crime and that the real crime is the plot to tarnish her husband’s name and reputation.

“The real crime is the coordinated plot to tarnish my husband’s reputation and exact political revenge and retribution against him and our family.

“The real crime is the emasculation and manipulation of key national institutions such as the MACC and AGC (Attorney General's Chambers) as weapons in a political vendetta.

“The real crime is the wielding of state power for personal ends and not for the benefit of the people.” 

Also referring to Anwar and his administration, Na’imah said that Daim as a “political rival” is being charged while other “political cronies” had charges against them dropped.

She also said that the real crime is pursuing an old political foe without care for the country and its economy.

“The real crime is targeting your political opponents with concocted charges whilst, to the outrage of an entire country, corruption charges are dropped against political cronies.

“The real crime is vengefully pursuing old political rivals, who hold no power now, with baseless charges whilst the economy stagnates, reforms are abandoned and the country forlorn.”

When asked about Tun Daim’s condition in the hospital, she declined to answer.

The KL court complex here was abuzz with activity this morning as media personnel and family and friends of Na’imah and Daim turned up to support her as she was charged.

Na'imah, who turns 67 this year, was charged on Tuesday for failing to comply with terms of a notice to declare her assets in her statement to the graft busters in December last year.

Among the 12 assets which she allegedly did not declare were a Mercedes-Benz EQC400 and 500 SL Auto series, seven properties in Kuala Lumpur and one in Penang, and companies Ilham Tower Sdn Bhd and Ilham Baru Sdn Bhd.

Ilham Tower Sdn Bhd is the owner of Ilham Tower, and the majority of the company’s shares are owned by Ilham Baru, which in turn is fully owned by Daim’s wife and two of his children.

The single charge was framed under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act, and carries a punishment of a maximum five-year imprisonment and a fine not exceeding RM100,000.

The charge was read before Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi, where Na'imah, clad in a light green baju kurung, pleaded not guilty and claimed trial in a courtroom filled with about 20 people made up of family, friends and media personnel.

Na'imah was represented by former solicitor general II Mohd Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abidin, M Puravalen and Alex Tan Chie Sian.

The court then set bail at RM250,000 with one surety. Na'imah has to surrender her passport.

The court fixed March 22 for case management.

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