Daim says the transfer is necessary to avoid the possibility of bias as judge Azura Alwi will also hear a similar case involving a charge brought against the former finance minister’s wife, Naimah Khalid.

Judge Azrul Darus, who conducted case management of the application today, fixed the hearing date after agreement by the prosecution and Daim’s lawyers.

He said Daim is required to be present in court on the hearing day.

Deputy public prosecutor Fadhly Zamry informed the court that both the prosecution and defence have filed their submissions.

The prosecution is objecting to the transfer on grounds that the couple’s cases are not identical and refer to “different elements” of the offence.

It says that Daim and Naimah need to show the court a “real danger of bias” if Azura presides over both trials.

Lawyer M Puravalen appeared for Daim and Naimah.

Earlier this year, Daim pleaded not guilty to a charge under Section 36(2) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 of allegedly failing to comply with the terms of an asset declaration notice issued by the anti-graft agency.

He is accused of failing to declare his ownership of 38 companies, 19 plots of land in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Kedah and Kuala Lumpur, as well as six properties.

Daim is also accused of failing to declare his ownership of Amanah Saham Nasional Bhd and Amanah Saham Nasional accounts, as well as seven luxury vehicles.

In a separate charge, Naimah is accused under the same provision of failing to declare her ownership of various companies, several plots of land and two vehicles.