High Court orders return of Daim’s daughter’s passport, finds ‘no merit’ in holding it

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 — The High Court today granted the daughter of the late former Finance Minister Tun Daim Zainuddin permission to keep her international passport permanently.

Judge Nurulhuda Nur’Aini Mohamad Nor made the ruling after hearing submissions from deputy public prosecutor Nidzuwan Abd Latip and lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan, who represented Asnida Abdul Daim, 65, during case management proceedings.

“There is no merit in holding the passport. Non-attendance has not been proven as a flight risk. There is no justification to keep the passport from the applicant. The applicant’s passport shall be returned to her within seven days from today’s order,” the judge said.

Earlier, Nidzuwan objected to the application, citing a risk of flight, as Asnida had previously failed to appear at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office to have her statement recorded.

“The applicant frequently travels abroad and has business interests there, so there is a potential flight risk. We ask the court to consider this case carefully, as it involves one of the children of the late Tun Daim and is a matter of public interest,” he said.

However, Rajesh argued that frequent business travel abroad does not make her a flight risk, calling such an assumption unreasonable and noting she has remained in the country since surrendering her passport.

On April 7, Asnida pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here to a charge of intentionally giving a false sworn written statement that did not comply with the terms of a notice under Section 36(1)(b) of the MACC Act 2009, dated November 8, 2023.

The notice was issued to Asnida by an MACC officer of the rank of Commissioner or higher on November 14, 2023, for failing to declare her shareholdings as required.

The shareholdings involved 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 December 13, 2023, under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act 2009, which carries a maximum prison sentence of five years and a fine of up to RM100,000, upon conviction. — Bernama