KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 (Bernama) -- The daughter of the late former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin was charged in the Sessions Court here today with failing to declare her shareholdings in five companies in 2023.
Asnida Abdul Daim, 65, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out to her before Judge Rosli Ahmad.
She is alleged to have intentionally provided a written sworn statement that did not comply with the terms of a notice issued under Section 36(1)(b) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 (Act 694), dated Nov 8, 2023.
The notice was served on Asnida by an MACC officer of commissioner rank or higher on Nov 14, 2023, for failing to declare her shareholdings as required.
The shares involved five companies: Amiraz Sdn Bhd, Arida Farms Sdn Bhd, Kangkung Catering Sdn Bhd, Transgrade Sdn Bhd, and Gajah3 Foods Sdn Bhd.
The charge, under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act 2009 [Act 694], carries a maximum jail term of five years and a fine of up to RM100,000, upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat proposed bail of RM100,000 in one surety, and asked for Asnida's passport to be handed over to the court.
Her lawyer Datuk Dr Gurdial Singh Nijar applied for a lower bail of around RM15,000 and opposed the additional condition.
"My client has disclosed 16 properties and these are the properties that she did not disclose as the companies are dormant and in the process of winding up.
"On the impounding of the passport, I think it's important to remember is there a risk that the accused would have absconded the country? I think this is a bit far-fetched as the accused is over 60 years old," he said.
In response, Mahadi told the court that Asnida had failed to attend the MACC headquarters twice for the recording of her statement on Feb 13 and March 11, 2026, and only appeared yesterday, after being summoned for the third time.
Judge Rosli set bail at RM50,000 in one surety, ordered Asnida to surrender her passport to the court, and fixed May 21 for mention of the case.
– BERNAMA
