By Austin Camoe From New Straits Times

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki told the New Straits Times “at least” RM4.5 billion in assets linked to the former finance minister had been traced in these countries, including RM758 million in the United Kingdom. – NSTP/NIK ABDULLAH NIK OMAR

KUALA LUMPUR: Previously undeclared properties, investments and bank accounts linked to the late Tun Daim Zainuddin have now been identified in six additional countries. 

This brings the total number of countries associated with Daim’s undisclosed assets to 11.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki told the New Straits Times “at least” RM4.5 billion in assets linked to the former finance minister had been traced in these countries, including RM758 million in the United Kingdom.

Besides the UK, the other countries are the United States, Switzerland, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Singapore, Jersey (a British Crown protectorate), Japan, Italy, Indonesia as well as an African country, he said.

Azam said the MACC probe had uncovered assets identified in the US that included condominiums, commercial buildings and bank accounts, while assets in Japan involved a chain of hotels.

“The assets identified in Italy involve real estate and shopping centres.

“We have also identified investment assets and bank accounts valued at more than RM540 million in Singapore as well as investment assets and bank accounts valued at over RM1.15 billion in Jersey.”

Azam said mutual legal assistance (MLA) proceedings had been initiated under the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 2002 (MACMA 2002) for investigation purposes.

“Court applications will be made to obtain restraining orders on the assets.

“The MLA application process has begun. It is a complex international legal procedure.”

Azam said MACC was cooperating and would continue to work closely with the authorities in the respective countries to coordinate details, comply with local laws and ensure that asset freezing orders could be enforced.

The NST previously reported that the graft busters were eyeing property and assets linked to Daim in several other countries.

They believe there were also other assets to be identified.

It was also reported that MACC would work with foreign authorities to get more information such as the source of funds and money trail analysis.

It was recently reported that authorities in the UK had agreed to impose a restraining order on assets and properties worth £132 million (RM700 million) belonging to Toh Puan Na’imah Abdul Khalid, Daim’s widow.

UK authorities agreed to MACC’s request to impose a restraining order on the assets.

MACC requested the assistance of authorities in the UK on June 26 after the graft busters sought to amend certain matters related to the restraining order in court.

For more on this story go to: NST