Prosecution drops Daim's asset declaration charge after his death
The court acquitted and discharged Daim of his charge of failing to declare his assets after the prosecution informed the court that it did not wish to pursue the criminal matter, citing Daim's death on Nov 13.
KUALA LUMPUR – The Sessions Court, here, today acquitted and discharged former finance minister, the late Tun Daim Zainuddin of his charge of failing to declare his assets.
Judge Azura Alwi made the decision after deputy public prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin informed the court that the prosecution did not wish to pursue the criminal matter, citing Daim's death on Nov 13.
On Aug 27, the prosecution had sought for Daim to undergo a mental evaluation to assess whether he was fit to stand trial.
The prosecution argued that the application was made because the accused often requested to be exempted from attending court proceedings.
Daim, 86, and his wife, Toh Puan Na’imah Khalid, 67, were separately charged with failing to declare 70 and 12 assets, respectively.
On Jan 29, Daim, whose full name was Che Abdul Daim Zainuddin, seated in a wheelchair pleaded not guilty to failing to comply with a notice to declare his assets, which included several luxury vehicles, companies and properties in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, Perak and Kedah.
He was charged with failing to declare his assets by deliberately giving a written statement under oath that did not comply with the terms of the notice dated Nov 8, 2023, sent to him by a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officer with the rank of Commissioner on Nov 14, 2023, to do so.
The offence was allegedly committed at the MACC Headquarters, Putrajaya on Dec 13, 2023.
The charge, framed under Section 36 (2) of the MACC Act 2009, provides a maximum prison sentence of five years and a fine of up to RM100,000, if convicted.
Daim passed away while receiving treatment at Assunta Hospital in Petaling Jaya at 8.21am on Nov 13.
