The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has applied for a court order to restrain the disposal of overseas assets linked to the widow of former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, Toh Puan Na’imah Abdul Khalid and her family, amid an ongoing investigation into accounts already seized.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that the legal action is aimed at safeguarding properties and financial holdings located abroad while the investigation continues.
"In this case, we have submitted a court application for a restraining order to freeze the assets located abroad," he said when contacted.
"We will also continue with further investigations into the seized accounts, as we need to ensure they are not disposed of."
No further details have been disclosed regarding the total value or specific locations of the assets involved. The MACC’s move is part of broader efforts to prevent asset dissipation in high-profile investigations.
It was earlier reported that Na'imah said the 'baseless' freezing order by the MACC upon legally acquired assets abroad is a shocking infringement of the right to property, vindictive and politically motivated.
"I refer to reports that the Kuala Lumpur High Court, acting on an application by the MACC, issued a freezing order over properties abroad that are lawfully owned.
"I was never notified of this action and only became aware of the order through media reports.
"This is a shocking infringement of the most basic legal norms and it is unacceptable that this is happening in Malaysia," she said.
She said the seizure of property by the government without notice to the legal owner is a dangerous precedent.
"The MACC obtained this ex-parte order secretly, in silence behind closed doors, and I was never given the chance to speak.
"I should have been allowed to have my say in court. No reasonable person will say this was in accordance with fairness or the rules of natural justice," she said.
Na'imah claimed the MACC obtained the order 'by ambush'.
In fact there is no provision under the law authorising such an ex-parte application to be made, she said.
"And now they hide behind the cloak of legality to justify what is nothing short of institutionalised theft.
"It is no surprise to me that the MACC would resort to such blatant methods. These tactics are a natural consequence of the long and continuous smear campaign conducted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the MACC Chief Commissioner against Daim and my family since late 2022," she claimed.
She said that the most disturbing and shocking aspect of this is that it is being done despite no crime of any kind being proven against Daim.
She said the law under which the MACC is acting, the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), requires that such orders only be granted where there is a “serious offence” as defined under the Second Schedule.
"No such offence has ever been proven against me. No such charge has ever been brought against Daim. No such finding was ever made - not in his lifetime, and certainly not after his death.
"Government bodies must not act upon their own whims. Is rumour, suspicion and political animus now enough to seize the assets and properties of citizens?," she asked.
She said her lawyers will immediately challenge and set aside the order.
"I will challenge this order to defend what should never be taken from any of us: our rights, our voice, and a country governed by law, not by fear.
"Let there be no doubt that I will fight this politically motivated, reckless, vindictive and lawless action, through all legal means at my disposal," said Nai'mah.
"A line has been crossed. And if we do not resist, there may soon be no lines left at all, then no Malaysian will be safe from the reach of unchecked power.
"I will not bow down to bullies. Truth and justice will prevail. To those that abuse their power, remember Surah Ash Shura 42-42," she added.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court yesterday granted the MACC's request to freeze £132 million (RM758.2 million) worth of assets in London, allegedly owned by Na'imah.
The ex-parte order was granted by High Court Judge Datuk Azahar Abdul Hamid after the court was satisfied that the assets were potentially linked to offences under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
The frozen assets include two commercial buildings, five luxury residences and one bank account.
The properties are said to have been acquired between 2013 and 2021.
MACC earlier said these assets were not disclosed during investigations in 2023. - June 4, 2025
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