THE crackdown on Daim Zainuddin and his family may not end with the seizure of their multi-million ringgit Ilham Tower. 

More of the former finance minister’s assets may be confiscated, following what graft investigators claim is a failure to explain the source of funds to buy the real estate. 

“This (more seizures) is a possibility. If it is necessary for assets to be seized, investigators will proceed to apply for seizure,” a source was quoted as saying to The Star. 

Other sources with knowledge of the investigation said officers from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had sought an explanation from Daim on the source of funds but had received no response.

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki, when asked about the investigation on Daim, said his officers were probing into allegations of corruption and money laundering but declined to reveal details of the cases.

He said the seizure of Menara Ilham was a normal process and meant to prevent the building from being sold while the investigation was ongoing.

The seizure would not affect operations and that companies, shops and offices in the building could continue operating, Azam said. 

“When we investigate allegations of corruption and power abuse and there are non-movable assets involved, we are allowed under the MACC Act to submit to the deputy public prosecutor for the asset to be seized.

“This is what happened. We used the power of the DPP to instruct the Land Office to place a caveat on the land,” he explained.

Azam said the same process had been done on numerous occasions during MACC’s course of investigation.

“This (Menara Ilham seizure) is not the only case,” said Azam. – December 23, 2023.