KUALA LUMPUR: Toh Puan Na'imah Khalid, the wife of former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, said she had not committed any crime and she will prove it in court.
The 67-year-old said this after she claimed trial in the Sessions Court today to failing to declare her assets to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
"The real crime is the coordinated plot to tarnish my husband's reputation and exact political revenge and retribution against him and our family.
"The real crime is the emasculation and manipulation of key national institutions such as the MACC and the Attorney-General's Chambers as weapons in a political vendetta.
"The real crime is the wielding of state power for personal ends and not for the benefit of the people.
"The real crime is targeting your political opponents with concocted charges whilst, to the outrage of an entire country, corruption charges are dropped against political cronies.
"The real crime is vengefully pursuing old political rivals, who hold no power now, with baseless charges whilst the economy stagnates, reforms are abandoned and the country forlorn," she said at the court lobby after her bail was posted.
Na'imah, who was accompanied by one of her sons, also had a message, with a Shakespearean quote, for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"Finally, I say this to you, Anwar Ibrahim, that power is brief and there is always a reckoning for those who abuse it.
"As the Bard whom you often quote says 'Man, proud man. Drest in little brief authority'."
Asked why was there a message for Anwar, Na'imah briefly replied: "Well, I think it is obvious."
Na'imah added that she was overwhelmed by the support from the people, many unknown to her, for their concern and solidarity since last night when news broke that she would be charged.
"I thank you and I have faith I will be vindicated at the end of all this," she said.
Earlier, she pleaded not guilty before judge Azura Alwi to the charge which carries a maximum of five years imprisonment and a RM100,000 fine upon conviction.
According to the charge sheet, she failed to comply with an MACC notice to declare her assets such as:
* Companies — Ilham Tower Sdn Bhd and Ilham Baru Sdn Bhd;
* Luxury vehicles — Mercedes Benz EQC400 and Mercedes Benz 500SL; and,
*Properties — Menara Ilham, official residence in Bukit Tunku, four freehold pieces of land and buildings near Bukit Tunku as well as freehold land and building near Jalan Anthinahapan and Jalan Cantoment Road in Penang.
The judge allowed Na'imah RM250,000 bail with one surety and ordered her to surrender her passport until the disposal of the case.
March 22 was set for next hearing.
Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Feisal Mohd Ali prosecuted.
Former solicitor-general II Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abidin stood for Na'imah.
