KUALA LUMPUR: The prosecution today applied to withdraw the charges against Tun Daim Zainuddin for failing to declare his assets to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
However, in an unprecedented move, the defence objected to the application and wanted the trial to proceed.
Lead prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, in his application, said the move was done due to Daim's passing.
However, Daim's counsel Datuk Gurdial Singh Nijar objected to the application as he was instructed by his client to continue the proceedings.
He said the former finance minister, prior to his passing, had expressed a strong desire for the case against him to proceed to its conclusion.
In a separate matter, judge Azura Alwi dismissed the prosecution's application for Daim to undergo a mental evaluation to assess whether he was fit for trial.
Daim, 86, died on Nov 13 while receiving treatment at the Assunta Hospital.
Daim, whose full name was Che Abdul Daim Zainuddin, was charged with failing to declare assets, including a bank account, seven luxury vehicles, 38 companies, and 25 properties, at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya on Dec 13 last year.
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