KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution has objected to an application by the daughter of late former finance minister Daim Zainuddin to stay proceedings in her case involving charges of failing to declare her shareholdings in five companies in 2023.
Asnida Daim’s counsel, Nizamuddin Abdul Hamid, applied to refer several questions of law to the Federal Court, arguing that they raised legal issues similar to those in the case of the late minister’s widow, Naimah Khalid, who is charged with failing to declare her assets.
Deputy public prosecutor Nidzuwan Abd Latip, in objecting to the application, submitted that although the legal issues were similar, the facts of the two cases were distinct.
“The copy of the application for stay was served on us via email last Friday. As such, I request that the court grant us 14 days to file our reply affidavit,” he said during today’s mention of Asnida’s case.
Sessions court judge Rosli Ahmad set Aug 17 for the prosecution to file its affidavit in reply, with the defence’s response due by Sept 1.
The court also fixed Sept 8 for further mention of the application.
On April 7, Asnida, 65, pleaded not guilty in the sessions court to a charge of intentionally furnishing a sworn written statement that did not comply with the terms of a notice under Section 36(1)(b) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, dated Nov 8, 2023.
The notice was served on Asnida on Nov 14, 2023, by an MACC officer holding the rank of commissioner or higher, requiring her to declare her shareholdings as specified.
The case concerns shareholdings in five companies: Amiraz Sdn Bhd, Arida Farms Sdn Bhd, Kangkung Catering Sdn Bhd, Transgrade Sdn Bhd and Gajah3 Foods Sdn Bhd.
The offence was allegedly committed at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya on Dec 13, 2023.
Asnida is charged under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act 2009, which carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to RM100,000, upon conviction.
