THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has been granted permission by the Attorney-General’s Chambers to file charges against former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin under the MACC Act.
However, the proceedings have hit a roadblock as Daim is currently hospitalised for undisclosed health reasons.
MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki expressed disappointment over what he claimed was a lack of transparency from Daim’s doctor regarding the politician’s health status. According to Azam, despite the approval to press charges being granted over a week ago, the investigating officer was not provided with clear information on Daim’s condition.
“We received the approval to press charges against Daim over a week ago. When the investigating officer notified his lawyer that Daim needed to be present in court, the counsel informed MACC that Daim had been admitted to a private hospital.
“We have checked it, and Daim was indeed hospitalised before we received the green light to press charges. However, until today, we could not ascertain why was he hospitalised as the doctor treating him did not reveal what was going on with Daim and instead went back and forth about his situation,” Malaysiakini quoted him as saying.
Moreover, Azam highlighted that Daim is expected to face at least one charge related to the failure to declare several properties in which he and his wife hold interests.
Meanwhile, Daim’s wife Naimah Abdul Khalid was charged yesterday (Jan 23) under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act 2009 for failing to comply with an MACC notice requiring her to disclose her assets.
The 66-year-old was alleged to have committed the offence by giving a sworn written statement that did not comply with the MACC notice under Section 36(1) of the MACC Act.
The charges involve multiple lands, properties and Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Naimah, who claimed trial at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, could face up to five years in jail and a fine of up to RM100,000.
Furthermore, Azam revealed that the MACC is considering the option of bringing a judge to the private hospital to read out Daim’s charges. However, he emphasised that this would not be the first choice unless deemed necessary.
