Daim challenges MACC’s seizure of bank accounts, names Anwar in suit

Daim Zainuddin and his family members say the seizure of their bank accounts was done in bad faith and are seeking to quash it.

(FMT) – Daim Zainuddin, his family members and 18 companies linked to them have brought legal action to challenge the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) seizure of their bank accounts, naming Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as a co-respondent.

They said Anwar had “exerted (his) influence” on MACC to “advance his personal agenda” towards Daim.

The family claimed that as a result of this influence, MACC had on June 7 last year issued freezing orders under Section 44(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, covering all of their accounts.

They said the orders lapsed in September last year, but that they had not been charged with any money laundering offences.

“We wrote to MACC (earlier this year) to clarify whether they instructed the banks to seize our accounts but there was no response,” the family said, adding that they took it as a given that the accounts had been seized.

They also claimed they were not told what money laundering offences MACC was probing to warrant the seizure.

Daim’s family alleged that the seizure of their personal and company accounts was done in bad faith and are seeking leave to commence judicial review to quash it.

The High Court will hear their application on June 12.

Daim and his wife, Naimah Khalid, were charged earlier this year at the sessions court with allegedly failing to comply with the terms of an asset declaration notice under MACC.

Daim is accused of failing to declare his ownership of 38 companies, 19 plots of land in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Kedah and Kuala Lumpur, as well as six properties.

Meanwhile, Naimah is accused of failing to declare her ownership of companies, several plots of land here and in Penang, as well as two vehicles.