TOH PUAN Naimah Khalid, the widow of former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, said her late husband had written repeatedly to the Chief Commissioner of the MACC since mid-2023, asking what his offence was.
“However, till his death, they were not able to answer. Was this fair to him?” she asked in a statement today.
She said it was only in dictatorships that people are investigated but not told what their offence is.
Naimah expressed her frustration over the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency’s recent statement that investigations into Daim’s finances and assets remain ongoing, including a probe into a “money trail” overseas.
“Alhamdulillah, my husband has been acquitted and vindicated by the courts.
“But, barely a week since his passing and just two days after his acquittal by a Court of Law, the MACC made a baseless statement claiming that the probe on him continues under section 23 of the MACC Act for “ using office or position for gratification “ and that the MACC is “ studying the money trail overseas “.
“The courts have acquitted Daim. Is the government not respecting the decision of the courts?” she asked.
She said to probe a ‘money trail’, there must be an offence of corruption committed first.
“If there is no offence, then assets, whether held in Malaysia or elsewhere, are lawful and the result of hard work,” she said.
Daim died on Nov 13 while receiving treatment at the Assunta Hospital.
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.
On Nov 20, he was acquitted of all charges for failing to declare assets to MACC.
Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi made the ruling after hearing submissions from both parties.
Naimah also claimed that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had repeatedly accused Daim of “stealing billions” without providing any concrete evidence of wrongdoing.
She said no clear answers have been given regarding the nature of Daim’s alleged offences, despite repeated requests to the MACC chief commissioner.
“Until his death, they were not able to answer. Was this fair to him?” she said.
The Prime Minister has on numerous occasions maintained that he is not involved in investigations or prosecutions, while the MACC has stressed that it shows no fear or favour and is free from interference by any party.- November 30, 2024
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