Daim Zainuddin

by HIDAYATH HISHAM

THE wife of the late Tun Daim Zainuddin claims the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) move to freeze her overseas assets as politically motivated, excessive, and executed without due process.

Na’imah Abdul Khalid (picture) said she was never informed about the move, learning about it only through media reports.

“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,” she said in a statement today.

She said the move was a shocking infringement of property rights, calling it an institutionalised theft and a continuation of a political smear campaign against her late husband and their family by the current prime minister and MACC since late 2022.

Na’imah also argued that the MACC’s actions were legally unfounded, pointing out that under the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), such freezing orders can only be granted if there is a serious offence as defined under the law’s 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,” she said.

Na’imah added that her lawyers would challenge the order, vowing to defend her rights through legal channels.

“Let there be no doubt that I will fight this politically-motivated, reckless, vindictive and lawless action, through all legal means at my disposal.

“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,” she added.

Yesterday, MACC confirmed it had obtained a High Court order to freeze overseas assets linked to Na’imah, estimated at £132 million (RM758.2 million). The assets include two commercial buildings, three luxury homes, two other residences, and one bank account — all located in London.

The order was granted by Judge Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA), following an ex parte application by MACC.

MACC’s investigation found that the properties were allegedly linked to an offence under the law and could constitute evidence or proceeds from unlawful activities.