MACC issues another forfeiture notice on properties linked to late Tun Daim

• The latest notice from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)— similar to previous forfeiture applications—does not specify any alleged offences apart from being related to the investigation under Section 36, according to a statement by Messrs Zharif Nizamuddin.

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 10): Malaysian authorities on Wednesday (Dec 10) issued a forfeiture notice involving properties linked to the late Tun Daim Zainuddin, according to legal representatives of his family.

The latest notice from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)— similar to previous forfeiture applications—does not specify any alleged offences apart from being related to the investigation under Section 36, according to a statement by Messrs Zharif Nizamuddin.

The family, which has been under MACC investigation since February 2023, said repeated requests for clarity of the actions taken against them have not been addressed, the legal firm said.

“This continued failure to provide an explanation amounts to an abuse of power and raises serious concerns about compliance with the rule of law,” the firm said, calling for the agency to follow the rule of law and “must not continue to oppress our clients”.

However, the statement did not identify the properties or the value of the properties under the latest forfeiture notice.

The move is the latest against Daim’s family following the seizure of Ilham Tower in Kuala Lumpur in connection with alleged money laundering. The tower, owned by the late former finance minister and his widow Toh Puan Na’imah Abdul Khalid, is valued between RM1 billion and RM1.5 billion.

In November, the High Court allowed Na’imah and Ilham Tower Sdn Bhd to challenge the second seizure notice, after arguments were raised in court that the second notice had been issued “in bad faith” to extend investigations.

In Wednesday’s press release, the legal representatives said the family will continue to fight for their rights under the law through the courts to ensure that due process is followed and that the legal protections afforded to them are respected.

"Our clients hope they will no longer be unfairly targeted by enforcement agencies abusing their powers whenever issues involving the government arise," the statement read.

In July 2025, the MACC said it was seeking to seize and forfeit more than RM3 billion in assets across 11 countries linked to Daim’s family and associates, following cooperation with authorities in the UK.

MACC stated in November 2024 that investigations into Daim, his wife and family members would continue, despite the criminal charge relating to his failure to declare assets being dropped after his death.

Daim, who served twice as finance minister, passed away in November 2024. Before his death, he had denied any wrongdoing when MACC's investigations into his wealth began in 2023, maintaining that the probes were politically motivated.

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