KUALA LUMPUR — Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed has expressed “incredible” sadness over the death of Tun Daim Zainuddin at the age to 86 today.
Mahathir, 99, said he had lost a friend who had fought with him “for race country and religion”.
“I am incredibly sad.
“I can only pray. May we be together again at a time. Amin,” Mahathir said in a statement.
He also said Daim should be praised for his contribution to the struggles both men shared.
“But at the end of his life he was harassed for no reason…because of revenge.
“Oh God, let there be justice for Daim. Give him a place in the afterlife as a fighter for the nation.”
Mahathir appeared to be referring to the recent investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) into Daim and his wife Toh Puan Na’imah Abdul Khalid for alleged corruption and money laundering based on information about Daim’s wealth.
Both were charged with failing to comply with MACC notices to declare their assets.
No charges for actual corruption have been brought against them to date.
Daim was finance minister under Mahathir from 1984 to 1991, and again from 1999 to 2001. He was seen as Mahathir’s right-hand man, and a pivotal figure in steering the nation through several economic challenges, including the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis.
He also joined Mahathir in going against Barisan Najib then led by Datuk Seri Najib Razak in 2018, campaigning for Pakatan Harapan which won the general election and formed the government that year.
Mahathir made Daim chair of the Council of Eminent Persons to advise the PH government under Mahathir for its first 100 days. – November 13, 2024