FORMER Finance Minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, 86, died at the Assunta Hospital this morning.
This was confirmed by Daim's lawyer, Datuk Gurdial Singh Nijar.
"He had a stroke recently and was in the intensive care unit," he said.
Daim, the businessman turned politician, served as finance minister between 1984 to 1991 and later between 1998 to 2001.
He is from Alor Setar, Kedah, and also served as a member of Parliament for five terms between 1982 and 2004.
He was also known to have played a pivotal role in steering Malaysia through several economic challenges, including the 1997 Asian financial crisis.
He was first elected Kuala Muda MP in 1982, a year after his long-time ally, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad became prime minister.
Later, he would contest and win the Merbok seat, defending it for Umno and Barisan Nasional for four consecutive terms.
Born to a clerk in the Kedah civil service, Daim was the youngest of 13 siblings.
In addition to his political endeavours, Daim was an academic achiever, having earned a PhD from the University of Malaya at the age of 81, and his thesis on the New Economic Policy of the Soviet Union demonstrated his lifelong commitment to economic studies and policy development.
Earlier this year, Daim and his wife, Naimah Khalid, claimed trial in court on charges of failing to comply with the terms of a notice from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission regarding asset declaration.
Daim, whose real name is Che Abdul Daim Zainuddin, is expected to be buried after Asr prayers at Masjid Wilayah Persekutuan in Kuala Lumpur. - November 13, 2024
