Govt recognises Daim's contributions to country - Anwar

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has expressed condolences over the death of former finance minister Daim Zainuddin.

Though the two had a strained relationship, Anwar paid brief tribute to the deceased.

“The government recognises his deeds and contributions to the country, especially when he was the finance minister,” the premier said in a social media post.

Anwar said he had learned of Daim’s passing upon arrival at Lima, Peru for an official visit in conjunction with Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Forum being held there.

Anwar and Daim both served under Dr Mahathir Mohamad when the latter was prime minister.

However, their relationship was acrimonious at best.

Ups and downs

Despite this, at the height of the 1MDB scandal, Daim said that he had become a lawyer again with the specific intent of visiting Anwar in prison.

The visits, Daim said, were to discuss toppling Najib Abdul Razak.

However, their relationship appeared to sour again after the first Pakatan Harapan government collapsed.

In June 2022, Daim said that Anwar should retire to make way for younger leaders.

Anwar then retorted that Daim would have “sleepless nights” if he were to become prime minister, adding that Daim must answer for the Pandora Papers leaks.

The Pandora Papers detailed how Daim and his family have wealth in offshore accounts.

While the practice is not illegal, Anwar has expressed views that such funds may have been inappropriately taken out of the country.

After becoming prime minister, the MACC launched an investigation into Daim and his wife, Na’imah Abdul Khalid, in relation to the Pandora Papers - with the graftbusters scrutinising their wealth.

Daim and Na’imah have in turn accused Anwar of political persecution.

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