Prosecution wants Daim to undergo mental evaluation

 

Prosecutors want former finance minister Daim Zainuddin to undergo a mental evaluation to determine if he is fit to stand trial for his asset declaration case.

Deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin told the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today that Assunta Hospital in Selangor reported the 86-year-old as having suffered multiple strokes.

The prosecutor noted the private hospital’s examination found that Daim’s condition resulted in an unsteady gait that could cause frequent falls.

“The court can direct for him (Daim) to be sent for examination of his mental condition at a gazetted government hospital,” Wan Shaharuddin said.

However, Daim’s counsel Nizamuddin Abdul Hamid objected to the mental evaluation bid, contending that the accused only suffered from a physical ailment, rather than a cognitive one.

“We have been instructed by him that he understood the charge.

“We just met the accused, he is mentally okay, we do not see the need (for mental evaluation),” Nizamuddin said.

Daim was exempted from attending the case mention this morning.

Trial judge Azura Alwi then set Oct 17 to decide whether to have a gazetted government hospital such as Kuala Lumpur Hospital conduct a mental evaluation on Daim.

Daim and Na’imah’s charges

On Jan 29, Daim claimed trial for failing to abide by an MACC notice to disclose assets which included 38 firms, 25 pieces of land and property, seven luxury vehicles, and two investment fund accounts.

His wife Na’imah, 66, also faced a similar charge of failing to disclose assets involving multiple lands, properties, and luxury vehicles.

Accused of committing the offence between Dec 13 and 14 last year, the couple may be jailed for up to five years and fined up to RM100,000.

Daim was released on RM280,000 bail, while Na’imah is out on RM250,000 bail.

The asset disclosure charges were framed under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act 2009. - Mkini