MACC has sent asset declaration notices to 22 people linked to late Daim as part of Ilham Tower investigation

• The anti-graft agency said in a statement on Friday that the notices—issued on July 10—are “for the purpose of tracing and verifying asset ownership”.

KUALA LUMPUR (July 11): The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has sent asset declaration notices to 22 people identified as close relatives and associates of the late Tun Daim Zainuddin and his widow, Toh Puan Na’imah Khalid, as part of the ongoing Ilham Tower investigation.

The anti-graft agency said in a statement on Friday that the notices—issued on July 10—are “for the purpose of tracing and verifying asset ownership”.

"The commission remains committed to conducting investigations independently, transparently, and in accordance with the law, without political interference or external influence," the statement read.

MACC said the notices were issued under Section 36(1) of the MACC Act 2009, which empowers the commission to compel individuals to declare all movable and immovable assets—both domestic and foreign—if they are suspected of involvement in corruption or financial crimes.

Individuals served with such notices are typically given 30 days to comply. Failure to do so could lead to further investigations or legal action.

The anti-graft commission got a seizure order for Ilham Tower on June 4, 2025 and carried out the seizure on June 5. On June 25, they filed a forfeiture application at the Kuala Lumpur High Court without prosecuting anyone. The tower is valued between RM1 billion and RM1.5 billion.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court has fixed Aug 6 for mention of the forfeiture application.

On Friday, MACC said it had recorded statements from Toh Puan Na’imah and her son, Muhammed Amir Zainuddin Daim, on June 14 regarding allegedly "undisclosed extraordinary assets". A statement will also be recorded from her second son, Muhammed Amin Zainuddin Daim, who is currently in the UK.

"All three are major shareholders in Ilham Baru Sdn Bhd, the company that holds majority shares in Ilham Tower Sdn Bhd and has been identified as the beneficial owner of Ilham Tower," MACC said.

Ilham Tower comprises 33 floors of premium office space and 22 serviced apartment levels, spanning approximately one million square feet, according to its website.

Tun Daim, a former twice-serving finance minister and influential political figure, passed away in January this year. He had previously denied any wrongdoing when MACC opened investigations into his wealth in 2023.

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