Judicial Review Filing by Tun Daim Zainuddin against MACC raises crucial questions

Politics
15 Jan 2024 • 3:00 PM MYT
Mihar Dias
Mihar Dias

A behaviourist by training, a consultant and executive coach by profession

image is not available
Credit: Sinar Daily

By Mihar Dias (C) Copyright January 2024

The recent judicial review application filed by former Finance Minister Tun Daim Zainuddin and his family against the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has sparked significant interest and raised crucial questions about the judicial process in Malaysia.

In their lawsuit, Daim and his family seek court orders to halt the MACC's investigation, prevent potential charges, and claim possible prejudice. The family is also pursuing compensation and the return of seized documents, assets, and monies, further challenging the legitimacy of the MACC's actions.

The implications of this legal battle extend beyond the specific claims made by Daim and his family. The request for a declaration that any charges brought against them would be unconstitutional and void, citing a 22-year delay, highlights concerns about the timeliness and fairness of legal proceedings.

The assertion that freezing orders on assets and bank accounts are unlawful after a certain period adds complexity to the case, raising questions about the legality of continued actions by the MACC.

Daim's argument that the freezing orders ceased to have legal effect after 90 days underscores the importance of adherence to legal timelines.

Furthermore, the family's demand for a court order to cease all investigations and revoke prior notices emphasises their desire to halt any further actions by the MACC. The case's reliance on a judicial review application adds a procedural layer, requiring the family to obtain leave from the High Court before the actual challenge can proceed.

High Court Judge Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh is set to hear the application for leave on January 16. If granted, the family seeks a stay order to maintain the status quo during the legal proceedings, underlining the urgency and sensitivity of the matter.

Represented by the law firm Tommy Thomas, the involvement of former Attorney-General Tan Sri Tommy Thomas raises questions about potential conflicts of interest.

Daim's extensive background as a lawyer and businessman, coupled with his past government roles, adds another dimension to the case.

In conclusion, the judicial review application by Tun Daim Zainuddin and family reflects a multifaceted legal challenge that not only questions the MACC's actions but also delves into broader issues of legal timelines, fairness, and the intricacies of the Malaysian judicial system.

The upcoming hearing on January 16 will likely shed light on the path this case will take and its potential ramifications for judicial reviews in Malaysia.


Mihar Dias is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!

The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact Newswav.