FORMER finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin today hit out at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation against him and his family, labelling it as nothing more than a “political witch-hunt.”
He called on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and MACC chief Tan Sri Azam Baki to respect the rule of law and due process.
In a statement, he said that Azam Baki had not informed him of the offence he had allegedly committed.
“I categorically deny any corrupt act or wrongdoing of whatsoever nature by myself or my family. This investigation is nothing short of a political witch-hunt against us,” he said.
He said he had repeatedly written queries to the MACC and had received a letter signed by Azam Baki declining to tell him what the offence was.
“Yet, there has been an organised effort to discredit me by releasing misinformation and baseless insinuations against me,” he said.
Recently, the MACC seized the multibillion-ringgit Ilham Tower, a key commercial property owned by Daim’s family.
Following that, Anwar said the MACC’s move to investigate and seize Menara Ilham demonstrates that the country’s enforcement system does not protect anyone involved in corruption regardless of their standing.
Daim, who also headed the Council of Eminent Persons during Tun Dr Mahathir’s tenure as prime minister under the Pakatan Harapan government, claimed it was public knowledge that Anwar regarded him as a political threat and foe, leading to attempts to discredit him.
“It is an ‘irrefutable fact’ that under the MACC Act 2009, the chief commissioner is dependent upon the prime minister for their appointment or extension of tenure.
“Anwar’s latest tirade against me on December 22, ‘It is an open secret. Someone had reaped so much wealth’ is a reckless and unsubstantiated insinuation that I am guilty of some unspecified offences. This clearly shows his animus against me,” he said.
He said that since the beginning of this investigation, he has extended the fullest cooperation to the MACC and regularly communicated with them via his lawyers.
“It is false for the MACC ‘sources’ to claim that I have not made a proper disclosure of the financial details demanded by MACC,” he said, referring to several news reports citing such sources.
“I reiterate that all that was asked for in writing by the MACC was disclosed and by the law,” he added.
“I am deeply concerned about the fairness and integrity of our institutions. The institutions must be protected for the sake of the nation.
“It is in the highest public interest that the investigative and prosecution process is not tainted and subverted by bias, unfairness, or political motives. This will affect every Malaysian,” he said. – The Vibes, December 28, 2023
