Image Credits : AFP
Malaysia’s former finance minister, Daim Zainuddin, currently under investigation for alleged corruption, has launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Daim accuses Anwar of orchestrating a “political witch-hunt” against him and vows to take “appropriate action in due course.”
Daim also criticizes the Chief of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Azam Baki, alleging unprofessional conduct, including leaking details of the ongoing anti-graft probe and making prejudicial comments against him in public. Daim contends that these actions are an attempt to justify the commission’s actions and tarnish his reputation. He states that without being informed of the offences against him, he finds himself in no position to answer or defend against them.
Breaking his silence in a media statement on 28th December, Daim asserts that he has become a target due to Anwar perceiving him as a political threat and a foe who needed to be discredited. The former finance minister further accuses Anwar of making reckless and unsubstantiated insinuations of guilt against him, calling it an abuse of power.
Daim reveals that he has cooperated fully with the MACC, communicating through his lawyers since the beginning of the investigation. He disputes claims that he has not disclosed the required financial details, calling them “patently false.” Expressing concerns about the fairness and integrity of institutions, Daim urges respect for the rule of law and due process from Anwar and Azam Baki.
The controversy intensified after Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s comments on 22nd December, where he alluded to someone amassing significant wealth and called for a probe. Anwar’s statement came in response to the MACC’s seizure of the Ilham Tower, a commercial building owned by Daim’s family, worth US$580 million. Daim had reportedly ignored repeated requests from the MACC to declare his assets since the investigation began in May.
Daim, known as one of Malaysia’s wealthiest and politically influential figures, faces an expanding probe by the MACC. The investigation has led to the seizure of the Ilham Tower, raising concerns in political and business circles about a broader crackdown on corruption by the Anwar administration. Other business figures close to Daim, including Halim Saad and Mirzan Mahathir, are also reportedly under investigation.
As the anti-graft probe unfolds, the public awaits further developments, and the accusations and counter-accusations between Daim and Anwar underscore the high-stakes political landscape in Malaysia.