Probe into Malaysia's ex-finance minister Daim based on Pandora Papers: Anti-graft agency
Daim Zainuddin failed to declare his assets despite repeated petitions by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
Malaysia's former finance minister Daim Zainuddin is the subject of an anti-corruption probe. (Photo: Bernama)
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KUALA LUMPUR: The corruption investigation against Malaysia's former finance minister Daim Zainuddin was based on information obtained from the Pandora Papers, the country's anti-graft agency said on Saturday (Dec 30).
The probe started in February, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said, a day after Mr Daim broke his silence on the matter and accused Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of initiating a "political witch-hunt".
He also criticised MACC chief Azam Baki for unprofessional conduct, such as making “various prejudicial comments" against him in public while investigations are still ongoing.
In a statement on Saturday, the anti-graft agency said Mr Daim's comments have "caused confusion and misunderstanding to the general public".
"First of all, the MACC has never at any point raised or issued any official statement accusing Daim of committing any offences," the agency said, as quoted by the Star.
"In the case of Daim, the MACC opened an investigation paper in February 2023 based on information from the Pandora Papers."
The Pandora Papers are a trove of documents, leaked in 2021, that revealed the hidden wealth of world leaders, billionaires and celebrities who used offshore companies to acquire mansions, private jets and stakes in companies.
Mr Daim said in the wake of the leak that his business dealings, as revealed in the Pandora Papers, were legitimate. He added that he was a “successful and wealthy” businessman long before he entered politics and that taxes had been fully paid for his businesses and income.
CNA reported last week that the multi-million-dollar Ilham Tower, a prime commercial building owned by the Daim family, had been seized after he refused to declare his and his family's financial holdings.
According to the MACC, it issued a notice to Mr Daim on Jun 7, requesting that he declare all his assets in Malaysia and abroad.
The agency added that he had applied for an extension five times - all of which were granted on Jul 6, Aug 10, Sep 11, Oct 11 and Nov 14.
It urged the public not to speculate on the case while investigations are ongoing.
"Based on the legal principle of 'presumption of innocence', a person being investigated is innocent until proven guilty, and the individual involved has every opportunity to clear his name if this case is tried in court," the MACC said.
“It should be emphasised that MACC, is an independent commission, which acts professionally following the laws and regulations set, and is monitored by five independent monitoring bodies."
