Malaysia’s ‘Op Godfather’ probe reaches Daim’s daughter as Asnida pleads not guilty

he Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) building in Putrajaya.

Photo: EPA-EFE A daughter of Malaysia’s late former finance minister Daim Zainuddin was charged in a Kuala Lumpur court on Tuesday over allegations that she failed to declare shareholdings to anti-corruption investigators, in the latest escalation of a long-running probe into the wealth of one of the country’s most prominent political families.

The case against Asnida Abdul Daim is part of the investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) into assets linked to her father, a two-time finance minister and long-time ally of former premier Mahathir Mohamad, whose wealth and influence had long made him a towering figure in Malaysian politics.

According to the charge sheet seen by This Week in Asia, Asnida was accused of intentionally submitting a sworn written statement at MACC headquarters in Putrajaya on December 13, 2023, that did not comply with an asset-declaration notice under the MACC Act.

Prosecutors allege she failed to declare shareholdings in five companies: Amiraz Sdn Bhd, Arida Farms Sdn Bhd, Kangkung Catering Sdn Bhd, Transgrade Sdn Bhd and Gajah3 Foods Sdn Bhd.

Former finance minister Daim Zainuddin arrives at Session Court in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, before being charged with failing to declare assets on January 29, 2024.

Photo: EPA-EFE The offence carries a maximum sentence of five years in jail and a fine of up to 100,000 ringgit (US$25,000).

Asnida appeared before Sessions Court Judge Rosli Ahmad and pleaded not guilty, according to local media reports.

The court set May 21 for the next hearing, granted bail at 50,000 ringgit with a guarantor and ordered her to surrender her passport until the case is resolved.

One of her lawyers, Rajesh Nagarajan, described it as an “administrative charge” brought by the anti-corruption agency. “Asnida had declared 16 assets,” he told This Week in Asia. “[As for] the five that were not declared, she had explained to the MACC at the time that they were linked to dormant companies already in the process of being wound up.” He added: “The assets are now under the control of the director general of insolvency.” Bernama had previously reported that she was due in court at 9am after MACC officers recorded her statement for about five hours on Monday.

In a statement a day earlier, MACC said Asnida had turned up and cooperated with investigators, while two of Daim’s sons, Muhammed Amir Zainuddin and Muhammed Amin Zainudd

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