Malaysia's former finance minister Daim Zainuddin was charged on Monday with failing to disclose luxury cars, properties and other assets, part of a corruption crackdown triggered by revelations of tax evasion by the rich.
Daim, 85, served as finance minister twice between 1984 and 2001 and has close ties to a political rival of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
He has called the probe into his affairs a "political witch-hunt", and his wife was charged last week in a similar case.
Daim, who arrived at court on Monday in a wheelchair with his family, stands accused of failing to declare assets including luxury cars and premium condominiums after being ordered to do so by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
If convicted, he faces up to five years in jail and a maximum fine of RM100,000 ($21,140). He pleaded not guilty and was released on bail.
Daim is a close ally of former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, who has fiercely criticised Anwar since the latter came to power in 2022 vowing to stamp out graft.W