Prosecution seeks to freeze RM1.1bil in Jersey assets linked to Daim’s widow

Prosecution seeks to freeze RM1.1bil in Jersey assets linked to Daim’s widow

PETALING JAYA: The prosecution has applied to the High Court to block Naimah Khalid, the widow of former finance minister Daim Zainuddin, and her associates from dealing with assets worth more than RM1.1 billion located in Jersey, a British crown dependency.

Deputy public prosecutor Maziah Mohaide said the ex parte application is being filed under Section 53 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds from Unlawful Activity Act 2001 (AMLA), The Edge reported.

She said the application comes after investigations conducted under Section 113 of the Income Tax Act 1967 and Section 4(1) of AMLA.

“This follows assets obtained by Na’imah or her associates in Malaysia that have not been declared to the Inland Revenue Board. These assets are worth approximately US$157.5 million (RM667 million) and £85 million (RM490.7 million) in Jersey,” she was quoted as saying.

However, Naimah’s lawyer, Syed Afiq Syed Albakri, has applied to intervene in the case and asked the court to serve the cause papers to his client.

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He said there had been two earlier attempts this month to freeze her assets through separate High Court applications.

“In the interests of natural justice, we should be allowed to intervene and get the cause papers. We also seek the prosecution to inform us of any attempt to apply any prohibitory orders,” he said.

Judge Muhammad Jamil Hussin directed Syed Afiq to file a formal intervention, which will be heard on Aug 22.

This is the third attempt by the prosecution to freeze Naimah’s overseas assets, following earlier bids to block £132 million in the UK and RM544 million in Singapore.

Naimah, currently facing an asset declaration charge, is accused of failing to declare her ownership in various companies, several plots of land in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, and two vehicles.