KUALA LUMPUR – The recent “sensationalist” news report has painted the Daim family in a bad light, even though its offshore assets are no secret, said Toh Puan Na’imah Abdul Khalid.
Na’imah, who is wife of Tun Daim Zainuddin, has defended her family’s fortunes, saying those were reaped from his businesses and legitimate investments prior to his foray into politics in 1984.
She was referring to news reports yesterday, that she and her two sons Muhammad Amin Zainuddin and Muhammad Amir Zainuddin – are said to be beneficiaries of a trust with US$52.5 million (RM247.5 million) in assets, eclipsing Daim’s assets listed in the Pandora Papers.
“In fact, the author of the report did not suggest criminal wrongdoing, thus raising the question of why such a report was published.
“Tarnishing someone’s reputation with implicit accusations and assumptions in a news report without solid evidence is wrong and unethical. In fact, it leads to character assassination under the guise of a news report.
“Absent of any wrongdoing, is it appropriate to discuss one’s personal finances, whether the details are correct, in such a way as to allege serious wrongdoing?
“This report will only fan prejudice, rumours and assumptions against us or any person in a similar situation, and this is no doubt the purpose of its publication,” said Na’imah in a statement today.
Yesterday, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists reported that Na’imah had set up ZA Star Trust in 2010, with investments in three British Virgin Islands companies.
According to leaked records from a Cayman Islands financial services firm, two companies own properties in London, including an eighth-floor office building near St. Paul’s Cathedral, which was bought in 2014 for US$50.8 million.
The remaining company indirectly owns shares in nine entities registered in Delaware and Massachusetts, US. These entities had investments in hotels, parking lots, and other commercial and residential properties.
Currently, Daim is being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over the revelations in the Pandora Papers, which linked him and his proxies to offshore businesses worth at least US$31 million.
He is said to be recuperating at Assunta Hospital, Petaling Jaya. His medical team said he is in no shape to be questioned.
Earlier, sources said the MACC probe into Daim would include his role in the 1998 over-the-counter stock-trading system in Singapore known as CLOB (Central Limit Order Book) as well as “forced divestments” by those on the opposing political divide.
On Tuesday, Daim’s legal team, led by former attorney-general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas, went to the high court here to challenge MACC’s probe.
MACC’s investigation into Daim was opened nearly a year ago, in February 2023, based on the mention of his name in the 2021 Pandora Papers. No charges have been brought against him yet.
Thomas said the anti-graft agency’s probe was “prejudicial”, given that Daim had left public office 22 years ago, besides his old age.
The lawyer also said MACC’s “delayed investigation” was to “fish” for evidence. – January 19, 2024