KUALA LUMPUR – The daughter of former Finance Minister, the late Daim Zainuddin, pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here on Tuesday to a charge of failing to declare assets involving shareholdings in five companies three years ago.
Asnida, 65, dressed in a dark blue outfit and headscarf, entered the plea after the charge was read before Judge Rosli Ahmad.
“I plead not guilty, I claim trial,” she said briefly.
According to the charge, she is accused of knowingly providing a written statement under oath 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, dated Nov 8, 2023.
The notice was served to the accused by an MACC officer on Nov 14, the same year, for failing to declare assets involving shareholdings in five companies.
The companies were Amiraz Sdn Bhd, Arida Farms Sdn Bhd, Kangkung Catering Sdn Bhd, Transgrade Sdn Bhd and Gajah3 Foods Sdn Bhd.
The alleged offence was committed at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya on Dec 13, 2023.
The charge was framed under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act 2009, which carries a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to RM100,000 upon conviction.
The prosecution is led by deputy public prosecutor Mahadi Abdul Jumaat, while the accused was represented by lawyer Muhammad Nizamuddin Abdul Hamid.