In a statement, MACC said it is strengthening strategic cooperation with foreign enforcement agencies, including those in the UK, to locate brothers Amir and Amin Zainuddin Daim – as well as former lawyer Josephine Premla Sivaretnam.

“The MACC stresses that all its actions are based on the law and carried out in line with ongoing court processes,” it said.

The Kuala Lumpur magistrates’ court today issued arrest warrants for the trio after they failed to comply with MACC notices to provide statements at its headquarters on Monday.

They were notified in February that they were required to attend and furnish their statements to the MACC.

The brothers’ lawyer has denied allegations that the siblings had fled the country, stating that they are currently studying in the UK.

In a Sinar Harian report, lawyer Nizamuddin Abdul Hamid said that Amir Zainuddin, 31, and Amin Zainuddin, 28, are in the UK preparing for their legal and accounting qualification exams.

Nizamuddin said Josephine, 65, who is an acquaintance of the Daim family, could not attend court because she was receiving medical treatment abroad.

He added that MACC gave his clients short notice to provide statements, leaving them insufficient time to respond.

“My two clients are students, and Josephine is elderly, so there is no reason for them to flee,” he said when opposing the prosecution’s application for the arrest warrants.

“Additionally, we did not receive any notification or documents stating that they would be charged in court today,” he said.

The court granted an interim stay on today’s arrest warrants after being informed that the parties intend to seek a revision of the order at the High Court.

Earlier today, Daim’s daughter Asnida was charged at the Kuala Lumpur sessions court for failing to comply with a MACC asset declaration notice.

She allegedly failed to declare her ownership of shares in five companies – Amiraz Sdn Bhd, Arida Farms Sdn Bhd, Kangkung Catering Sdn Bhd, Transgrade Sdn Bhd and Gajah3 Foods Sdn Bhd.