Malaysian politics mourns the loss of a prominent figure, Daim Zainuddin, former Finance Minister and a close ally of veteran leader Mahathir Mohamad. Daim passed away early Wednesday at the age of 86, his lawyer confirmed.
Daim’s political career spanned decades, marked by his two stints as Finance Minister – from 1984 to 1991 and again from 1999 to 2001 under Mahathir’s leadership. His contributions to Malaysia’s economic development during these periods were widely acknowledged.
In a recent turn of events, Daim found himself embroiled in a high-profile corruption case, facing charges of failing to disclose assets under an anti-corruption law. He pleaded not guilty to these charges earlier this year.
Daim’s lawyer, Gurdial Singh Nijar, revealed that the former minister had been in the intensive care unit (ICU) for several weeks after suffering a stroke. While the cause of death remains unconfirmed, his passing marks the end of a significant chapter in Malaysian political history.
The funeral for Daim Zainuddin is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, with the nation remembering his legacy and contributions to the country’s economic landscape.
