[UPDATED] MACC denies Daim’s ‘political witch-hunt’ claims, says probe based on law

KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has never formally accused Tun Daim Zainuddin of committing any offences. 

The agency in a statement today said the former finance minister’s recent remarks accusing the MACC of a “political witch-hunt” had caused unnecessary confusion and misunderstanding over the investigation into his case.

“MACC would like to correct the facts regarding the statement issued by Tun Abdul Daim Zainuddin.

“First of all, the MACC has never at any point raised or issued any official statement accusing Tun Abdul Daim of committing any offences,” the agency said in a statement. 

It confirmed that Daim, 85, was being investigated under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009, and Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

However, the MACC added that he was also innocent until proven guilty, and as such, Daim had every opportunity to clear his name if the case were to be brought to court.

Stressing its independence, the MACC outlined the order of events in its probe into the former finance minister.

The MACC said an investigation paper on Daim was opened in February based on information from the leaked Pandora Papers on wealth held by prominent people in offshore accounts.

On June 7, Daim was sent a notice to declare all his assets, both inside or outside the country, within 30 days. The notice was issued under Section 36(1)(a) of the MACC Act.

However, the tycoon requested five extensions, which he was granted on July 6, August 10, September 11, October 11 and November 14.

Having failed to respond after the last extension, the public prosecutor then issued a notice of seizure on the Ilham Tower commercial property, which Daim owns, on December 18. The notice was issued under Section 38(1) of the MACC Act on the seizure of immovable property.

The MACC said there should be no speculation on the case so that investigations could proceed without interference.

The agency’s statement today follows Daim’s defence of his innocence and accusations against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki that both cooperated to tarnish his reputation through corruption and money-laundering allegations.

“I categorically deny any corrupt act or wrongdoing of whatsoever nature by myself or my family. This investigation is nothing short of a political witch-hunt against us,” Daim had said.

It was initially reported that the MACC’s December 18 seizure of the Ilham Tower was in connection with Daim’s alleged involvement in a case involving RM2.3 billion in public funds in the 1990s.

The sum pertained to the government’s “forced” takeover of shares of the public-listed company Renong Bhd in 1997.

On December 24, Azam told Scoop that the MACC’s investigations into Daim would include looking into his domestic and international assets as well as businesses, with the probe focused on the acquisition of his assets and businesses such as property, hotels and financial institutions overseas. – December 30, 2023