FORMER finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin might be summoned for questioning again as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) intensifies its probe.
This is after an ongoing investigation had led the anti-graft agency to suspect that Daim might have more assets that he had not declared, Malaysiakini reported.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said investigators recently received information regarding Daim’s alleged assets and are now working to verify the details.
“Investigation (against Daim) is still ongoing. There is a lot of verification work we need to do on his alleged undeclared assets,” he told the news portal.
“We also received information that there are other assets that he did not declare. So, we are now trying to verify this information.”
While Azam declined to comment more on the matter, sources close to the investigation said the assets they are looking into include more properties, shares and local as well as overseas bank accounts.
Azam further stated that his investigators needed time as MACC require assistance from its counterparts and other relevant agencies overseas.
When asked if the 85-year-old business tycoon will be summoned again for questioning following the surfacing of new information, he said at this stage, the anti-graft agency have yet to summon him.
“Let the investigating officers compile more information on the assets first. If the investigators manage to find more, I expect that they will call him,” he was quoted as saying.
On Jan 29, Daim was charged at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court for failing to declare his ownership in 38 companies; seven luxury vehicles including a Rolls-Royce, an Austin Morris and a Jaguar XJS HE; 19 plots of land in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang and Kedah; and six properties.
Besides that, Daim also allegedly omitted declaring an Amanah Saham Berhad and Amanah Saham Nasional bank account.
He was charged under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act which carries a maximum of five years imprisonment and a RM100,000 fine upon conviction. He pleaded not guilty.
Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi ordered for Daim’s bail to be set at RM280,000 with one surety with no additional conditions imposed, which he posted. – Feb 8, 2024
Main pic credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images
