Daim’s asset declaration case transfer has been set for hearing on August 9 by the court

KUALA LUMPUR: The Sessions Court set August 9 for the hearing of former Finance Minister Tun Daim Zainuddin’s request to have a different judge hear his case on the nondisclosure of assets, including fancy cars, businesses, and real estate.

The date was set by Judge Azrul Darus after Daim’s May 7 case transfer application was still pending determination from the prosecution, according to Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Mohamad Fadhly Mohd Zamry.

Therefore, Mohamad Fadhly said during the hearings, “I request that the hearing for the application be set for August 9.”

According to Mohamad Fadhly, Daim, the applicant, filed his affidavit in reply on May 30, whilst the prosecution, the respondent, filed its on May 23.

In the meantime, M. Puravelan, Daim’s attorney, asked that his client be excused from court on August 9. 

DPP Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, however, rejected the attorney’s motion and demanded that Daim to attend the court.

Judge Azrul then decided that Daim must be present on August 9.

Since the same judge, Sessions Court Judge Azura Alwi, is also hearing the case of Daim’s wife, Toh Puan Na’imah Abdul Khalid, worries about potential injustice and bias led to Daim’s application to transfer the case on May 7.

Daim, whose full name is Che Abdul Daim Zainuddin, 86, entered a not guilty plea on January 29 to allegations of disobeying a notice to report his assets, which included a number of expensive cars, businesses, and residences located around Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, Perak, and Kedah.

On January 23, Na’imah, 66, was accused of disobeying an order to disclose her assets, which included Menara Ilham and many homes in Penang and Kuala Lumpur.

Both of them are accused under Section 36(2) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, which, if found guilty, entails a maximum punishment of RM100,000 and a maximum sentence of five years in jail. – Bernama