KUALA LUMPUR: Former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin's wife Toh Puan Na’imah Abdul Khalid maintains that the charge levelled against her in court on Tuesday (Jan 23) is politically motivated.
At a press conference outside the court complex here later in the morning, Na'imah said she had not committed any crime and the charge was meant to tarnish her husband and their family.
“The real crime is the coordinated plot to tarnish my husband's reputation and exact political revenge and retribution against him and our family.
“The real crime is the emasculation and manipulation of key national institutions such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) as weapons in a political vendetta.
ALSO READ: Daim's wife claims trial over failure to declare assets
"The real crime is vengefully pursuing old political rivals, who hold no power now, with baseless charges while the economy stagnates, reforms are abandoned and the country is forlorn," she added.
Earlier, Na’imah claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to a charge under anti-graft law of failure to declare assets.
According to the charge sheet, Na'imah had intentionally given a written statement under oath that did not comply with the terms of notice under Section 36(1) (b) of the MACC Act 2009.
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The 67-year-old allegedly did not declare assets as stated in Appendix A, which includes two companies: Ilham Tower Sdn Bhd and Ilham Baru Sdn Bhd, two Mercedes-Benz cars and eight properties.
The properties are Menara Ilham in Jalan Binjai, a house in Persiaran Bukit Tunku, four lots in Bukit Tunku, one lot in Penang and a house in Taman Tun Dr Ismail.
“I am overwhelmed by the support we have received from people, many unknown to us, for their concern and solidarity since last night when the news broke that I would be charged,” Na'imah added.
ALSO READ: Daim’s wife slams ‘slander campaign’ (https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/01/11/daims-wife-slams-slander-campaign)
She then said she had to rush to the hospital where Daim has been warded, but declined to comment on his condition as it was a personal matter.
