KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Daim Zainuddin failed in his bid to transfer his criminal charges to be heard before a different Sessions Court.
Sessions Court judge Azura Alwi dismissed Daim's application on ground that the former finance minister failed to meet the test for a real danger of bias in the trial.
She said there was no basis to suggest that the judgment would be clouded, even though his wife Toh Puan Na'imah Abdul Khalid was charged in the same court.
"This court is capable and competent to consider all evidence and interlocutory applications professionally.
"As a trained and experienced judicial officer, it can determine issues of admissibility, credibility, and the weighting of evidence to be presented," she said.
Earlier, on Jan 23, Na'imah was charged in the same Sessions Court with failing to comply with a notice by not declaring her property including Menara Ilham and several properties around Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
Daim, whose real name is Che Abdul Daim Zainuddin, was charged with failure to comply with a MACC notice to declare his assets such as one bank account, seven luxury vehicles, 38 companies, and 25 properties.
The offence falls under Section 36(2) of the Act which carries a maximum five years' imprisonment and RM100,000 fine upon conviction.