MACC Probe: Asnida Abdul Daim Set to Be Charged, Lawyer Questions Due Process
PUTRAJAYA, April 6 — Asnida Abdul Daim, daughter of former finance minister the late Daim Zainuddin, is expected to be charged at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Tuesday in connection with an investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Her lawyer, Yu Ying Ying, said the charge will be brought under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act 2009, which concerns failure to comply with a written notice, particularly in relation to asset declaration.
She explained that Asnida was initially summoned as a witness to assist investigators and provide a statement.
However, she alleged that the process changed when her client’s statement was recorded under Section 53 without legal counsel present.
“This raises concerns regarding due process and my client’s legal rights,” she said.
Nearly Five-Hour Statement Session
Earlier, Asnida arrived at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya at around 9.50am in a sport utility vehicle (SUV), accompanied by two lawyers.
She then underwent a statement recording session lasting nearly five hours, beginning at about 10am.
Her attendance followed a notice issued by the MACC.
Siblings Yet to Comply
Meanwhile, three of her siblings — Md Wira Dani, Muhammed Amir Zainuddin and Muhammed Amin Zainuddin — have yet to appear to provide statements.
Their absence has raised questions about the broader progress of the investigation.
Legal Consequences Under Section 36(2)
Section 36(2) of the MACC Act 2009 provides for penalties including up to five years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to RM100,000 upon conviction.
The offence relates to failure to comply with official notices, particularly those involving asset declarations.
Individual Notice Explained
Previously, the MACC issued Individual Notices against the four siblings after they failed to respond to earlier notices.
The commission clarified that the notice is a procedural mechanism, not a punitive action.
Investigation Linked to Pandora Papers
The probe into Daim and his family stems from revelations by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) in the Pandora Papers in 2021.
These disclosures led to intelligence gathering and a formal investigation launched in 2023, with notices issued to Daim, Na’imah Abdul Khalid and their children for asset declarations.
-wilayah.com.my
