Charges against former Malaysian finance minister Daim delayed due to his health: Anti-graft agency

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KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has been given the go-ahead to charge former Malaysian finance minister Daim Zainuddin, though the process has been deferred due to his health.
The MACC received permission to charge Daim last week, chief commissioner Azam Baki said on Thursday (Jan 25).
"I confirm that we received approval to charge Daim a week ago, but when our officers informed his lawyer about it, they told us he had been admitted to a private hospital," Azam said.
The 85-year-old, who is facing an anti-graft probe, was admitted before MACC obtained permission to press charges. No reason was given for his admission.
Daim, whose real name is Che Abdul Daim Zainuddin, is expected to face at least one charge for failing to declare several properties he jointly owns with his wife, Na'imah Abdul Khalid.
She pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to charges of failing to declare assets.
The undeclared assets include Ilham Tower, the companies Ilham Tower and Ilham Baru, two Mercedes-Benz cars and several properties in Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
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The anti-graft agency has the option to bring a judge to Daim's hospital so that charges against him can be read, said Azam, adding that it would not be their first choice unless it was necessary.
MACC has previously said that the investigation into Daim was based on information obtained from the Pandora Papers leak in 2021, which disclosed details of confidential documents from wealthy and influential individuals worldwide hiding their wealth through offshore services or companies outside their countries.
The multimillion-dollar Ilham Tower, a prime commercial building owned by Daim's family, was seized by MACC last year.