MACC probing Daim for alleged corruption, money laundering, says report

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Azam Baki says the seizure of Ilham Tower, reportedly belonging to Daim Zainuddin and his family, is a normal process.

(FMT) – Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Azam Baki has revealed that the agency is probing Daim Zainuddin for alleged corruption and money laundering, following the seizure of a skyscraper, The Star reported.

Azam confirmed that his officers are investigating the former finance minister on allegations of corruption and money laundering, but declined to comment further on details, according to the daily.

He added that the recent seizure of the 60-storey Ilham Tower, reportedly belonging to Daim and his family, was a normal process and meant to prevent the building from being sold while investigations was still ongoing.

Azam assured that the actions taken by the agency would not disrupt operations, allowing the businesses within the building to continue as usual.

“When we investigate allegations of corruption and power abuse and there are non-movable assets involved, we are allowed under the MACC Act to submit to the deputy public prosecutor (DPP) for the asset to be seized.

“This is what happened. We used the power of the DPP to instruct the land office to place a caveat on the land,” he was quoted as saying.

Azam said the same process had been done on numerous occasions before during the MACC’s course of an investigation, stressing that this was not the only such case.

Meanwhile, The Star quoted a source as saying that several other assets belonging to Daim and his family may also be confiscated by the MACC, following an alleged failure to explain the source of funds to purchase the properties.

“This (more seizures) is a possibility. If it is necessary for more assets to be seized, our investigators will proceed with the application for seizure,” the source said, according to the daily.

On Wednesday, it was reported that MACC seized Ilham Tower under Section 38(1) of the MACC Act 2009, which deals with the seizure of immovable property.

A source then told FMT that the seizure was made pending undisclosed investigations.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has denied any ulterior motive behind the seizure of the building, saying it was proof that the anti-graft agency would investigate anyone regardless of their background and position.