FRESH from being charged over non-declaration of assets in a corruption-related case, Tun Daim Zainuddin today lashed out at Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, accusing the prime minister of betraying the promises he had made during his time in the opposition to bring reform if he took power.
He called Anwar a “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” who cried about reforms but has done the “polar opposite” since assuming his present office in November 2022.
He also claimed that he had supported Anwar in 2018. This was when Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad led Pakatan Harapan (PH) with Anwar to win the general election that year.
Mahathir became the prime minister and Daim was appointed to the Council of Elders established by the government.
“I don’t want to say much about the charges against me,” Daim, 86, who was finance minister in the 1980s, said in a statement distributed to the media after he emerged from the Kuala Lumpur court complex at about 1.15pm today.
“However, I want to comment about the state of our country. Like many others who wanted a new Malaysia, I had come out to support Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in 2018.
“Then, the nation was under the shadow of the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.
“But now, we are under the shadow of an administration that is abusing its powers, while betraying all the promises of reform.”
“Is this the new Malaysia that was promised? Honesty, integrity and good governance have gone out the window,” he added.
The statement was circulated after Daim, who had been hospitalised over the past two weeks, was unable to read the prepared text audibly.
As he was reading it through his facemask, his voice was too soft even though there were microphones in front of him.
His wife Toh Puan Na’imah Abdul Khalid then apologised and suggested that the text be distributed to the media via their lawyer.
Daim, 86, is accused of deliberately giving a written statement under oath that did not comply with the terms of the notice under Section 36(1)(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 dated 8 November 2023.
The clause deals with identifying every property belonging to him or in his possession.
Section 36(2) of the MACC Act provides for a prison sentence of not more than five years and a maximum fine of RM100,000 if he is convicted.
On January 23, Na’imah was also charged with giving a sworn written statement that did not comply with the terms of a notice by the MACC in accordance with Section 36(1)(b) of the same act.
Daim said that he is not bothered about his fate now.
“Let (them) throw everything at me,” he said. “In my twilight years, I may no longer have the physical strength, but my convictions have not wavered.”
He claimed that independent institutions like the MACC, Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) and Inland Revenue Board (IRB) have been made “pliable tools” to pursue political opponents.
Making an obvious reference to Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's case, Daim accused Anwar of making a person facing graft charges the deputy prime minister, noting that all 47 charges were dropped after that.
He called on the Malaysian public to do what they can to protect and save the country, urging them not to hesitate or be afraid.
“A government is accountable to its people, not the other way around,” he said.
“As the saying goes, ‘For evil to triumph, it's only necessary for good men to do nothing.’ You deserve the better Malaysia that was promised.” – The Vibes, January 29, 2024
