THE late Tun Daim Zainuddin was acquitted of all charges for failing to declare assets to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi made the ruling after hearing submissions from both parties today.
The ruling was made under Section 254(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
"The court extends its condolences to the family of the deceased. May his soul be placed within the righteous," she said.
Deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin had earlier informed the court that the prosecution was withdrawing the charge under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act, following Daim’s death last week.
“We wish to extend our condolences,” Wan Shaharuddin said.
However, Daim’s counsel Datuk Gurdial Singh Nijar, told the court that it was Daim’s instruction for the case to continue.
He said that Daim’s dying wish was to clear his name and that his family also wanted the trial to continue.
Yesterday, Daim's widow Toh Puan Na’imah Abdul Khalid, 66, urged prosecutors to continue the case, so that the defence team can help clear her deceased husband's name in court.
Na’imah has also been charged with one count of failing to comply with a MACC notice by not declaring assets, which included Menara Ilham and several properties in Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
Daim, 86, whose full name was Che Abdul Daim Zainuddin, was charged with failing to declare assets, including a bank account, seven luxury vehicles, 38 companies, and 25 properties, at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya on Dec 13 last year.
He died on Nov 13 while receiving treatment at the Assunta Hospital. - November 20, 2024
