KUALA LUMPUR (July 11): Malaysia’s anti-corruption agency is seeking to seize over RM3 billion in assets across 11 countries linked to the late former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, his widow Toh Puan Na’imah Khalid, their family, and associates.
In a statement on Friday, it said based on the latest investigation findings, resulting from strategic cooperation with enforcement agencies in the United Kingdom — namely the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the International Anti-Corruption Coordination Centre (IACCC) — the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has identified the ownership of high-value extraordinary assets in 11 countries: the UK, the US, Switzerland, Singapore, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Jersey, Italy, Japan, Indonesia, and several African nations.
The MACC has applied to the Kuala Lumpur High Court to freeze offshore assets linked to the late Daim: RM758 million in the UK, RM1.15 billion in Jersey, and RM540 million in Singapore.
The MACC has already secured a restraining order for the assets in the UK, while court decisions are still pending for the assets in Jersey and Singapore.
The restraining order was filed under Section 53 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA) — which allows the authorities to stop someone from using or moving identified assets while an investigation is ongoing.
The MACC said a request for mutual legal assistance from UK authorities is being handled through the Attorney General’s Chambers, while the MACC continues talks with the IACCC to ensure enforcement is done properly and legally.
The anti-graft agency is also seeking more information on assets in the US, Switzerland, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Italy, and Japan. This is being done with the help of Bank Negara Malaysia, the IACCC, and MLA requests through the Attorney General’s Chambers to support legal and full enforcement.
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