THE Kuala Lumpur High Court today rejected an application by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to obtain a prohibition order preventing access to assets worth approximately RM548 million allegedly connected to Toh Puan Na’imah Abdul Khalid, the widow of the late Tun Daim Zainuddin, her son and seven other parties through several bank accounts in Singapore.
Judicial Commissioner Datuk Mohd Arief Emran Arifin ruled that the prosecution had failed to fulfil the legal requirements stipulated under Section 53 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA 2001).
“The threshold of proof required under Section 53 of AMLATFPUAA has not been met, therefore the application is dismissed,” Berita Harian reported him saying when delivering the court’s decision.
The court proceedings were attended by MACC deputy public prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat representing the prosecution, while Na’imah, her son Muhammed Amir Zainuddin Daim and the seven other parties were represented by lawyer Datuk Dr Gurdial Singh Nijar.
The MACC had previously filed an ex-parte application on June 19 seeking a court order to prohibit Na’imah, her son, two individuals, five companies and any associated parties from managing or dealing with overseas assets held in Singapore.
The assets under dispute reportedly involved investment funds amounting to £21 million and US$99 million located in Singaporean financial accounts.
The application was filed pursuant to Section 53 of AMLATFPUAA 2001 following investigations conducted under Section 113 of the Income Tax Act and Section 4(1) of the AMLATFPUAA.
The ruling marks a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny surrounding financial investigations linked to the late former finance minister and individuals associated with him, although the broader investigations remain ongoing. - May 22, 2026
