Malaysia charges ex-Mahathir aide Daim Zainuddin with failure to declare assets
Malaysia’s former finance minister Daim Zainuddin was charged on Monday with failing to declare his assets, including luxury cars and dozens of companies and properties, as a corruption probe strikes key rivals of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has ordered that Daim and his wife – as well as two of former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad’s sons – make asset declarations as it investigates allegations of the two wealthy families’ vast offshore holdings.
The 86-year-old Daim, who arrived at court in a wheelchair, was charged with failing to disclose his fortune as required by the MACC. Prosecutors allege his undeclared assets span a collection of high-end cars, including a Rolls-Royce, as well as 38 companies and 25 properties.
Mahathir Mohamad speaks during a news conference at his office in Putrajaya on Monday last week. Photo: AP
The ex-minister under Mahathir’s government pleaded not guilty. Daim faces up to five years jail and a maximum fine of 100,000 ringgit (US$21,100) if found guilty.
He was released on bail of 280,000 ringgit. Prosecutors had asked the court to confiscate Daim’s passport but his lawyer M Puravalen argued against it.
“He’s not going to go anywhere,” he said, pointing at the accused’s wheelchair.
Last week, Daim’s wife Naimah Abdul Khalid faced a similar charge. She has also pleaded not guilty. Daim and his family say there is nothing suspicious or illegal about their wealth, and instead have accused Anwar of abusing his power to take down political rivals.
Why are rivals of Malaysia’s PM Anwar ensnared in a corruption investigation?
Chief among the accusers is Mahathir, the 98-year-old former mentor turned arch enemy of Anwar.
Mahathir’s sons Mirzan and Mokhzani have also been ordered to reveal their assets by the MACC.
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