KUALA LUMPUR: One of Tun Dr Daim Zainuddin's eyes was surgically removed due to a fungal infection, the court heard today.
Daim was today charged with the failure to declare 71 of his assets to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
The former finance minister, however, pleaded not guilty to the offence before Sessions Court Judge Azura Alwi today.
Earlier, a wheelchair-bound Daim arrived at the court complex here with his family members at about 8.45am.
According to the charge sheet, the 85-year-old failed to comply with a MACC notice to declare his assets such as one bank account, seven luxury vehicles, 38 companies, and 25 properties at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya on Dec 13, last year.
The offence falls under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act which carries a maximum five years' imprisonment and RM100,000 fine upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin prosecuted while the accused was represented by M. Puravalen.
Wan Shaharuddin asked the court to impose bail between RM250,000 and RM500,000 with one surety against the accused.
The prosecution also asked the court to remind the parties involved not to make further comments about the case to prevent sub judice.
"I understand about freedom of expression, but we want to prevent any sub judice. We must draw the line.
"The accused also needs to surrender his passport until the disposal of the case," he said.
Puravalen when pleading for minimum bail, said his client was a kidney transplant patient and had experienced minor strokes for the last few years.
"Additionally, he had suffered from a fungal infection in his eyes, leading to the removal of one of them.
"He is practically homebound," he said.
Azura then set RM280,000 bail with one surety and ordered no additional bail condition.
She also reminded both parties not to make further comments about the case to avoid sub judice.
"I believe all parties are already mature enough and have sufficient knowledge to refrain from making any comments.
"The case has been charged, so I request all parties not to make any comments to avoid sub judice," she said.
On Wednesday, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said they had obtained permission from the Attorney General's Chambers to prosecute the former finance minister since the week before.
However, the prosecution had to be postponed as Daim, 86, was undergoing treatment at a private hospital for undisclosed health issues.
On Tuesday, Daim's wife, Toh Puan Na'imah Khalid, 67, was charged under the same section.
She pleaded not guilty to the offence before the same judge.
This comes after Na'imah and her two sons, Amir and Amin, on Jan 10, were summoned to the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya to have their statements recorded.
The commission said this was done to ascertain the value of some of the high-value assets, both domestic and abroad held under the companies belonging to them in relation to the probe on Daim.