The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has issued a statement on Tun Daim Zainuddin and the seizure of Ilham Towers.
Tun Daim had earlier issued a statement that he will be taking legal action against MACC for its alleged accusation of the former finance minister of wrongdoing on the UEM-Renong deal.
The top anti-bribery agency said it had never raised or issued any official statement accusing Tun Abdul Daim of having committed any wrongdoing. It said it opened an investigation paper in February 2023 based on information from the Pandora Papers. It later handed a notice to Tun Daim requiring him to declare all his assets both domestically and abroad in writing and a sworn statement within 30 days from the date of the notice. MACC noted that he applied for an extension five times and was granted an extension to declare all his assets.
As part of the investigation process, MACC said the Public Prosecutor issued a Notice of Seizure of Menara Ilham. MACC said Tun Daim is being investigated under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009, and Section 4 (1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorist Financing and Proceeds of Illegal Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA). However, it said based on the legal principle of ‘presumption of innocence’, a person being investigated is considered innocent until proven guilty, and the individual involved has the opportunity to clear his name if this case is tried in court.
