‘Political witch-hunt’: Malaysia’s ex-finance minister Daim slams PM Anwar over anti-graft probe

On the allegations against him, Mr Daim claimed that he had extended the fullest cooperation to the MACC and communicated with the agency through his lawyers “since the beginning of this investigation”.

“As such it is patently false for the MACC ‘sources’ to claim that I have not made a proper disclosure of the financial details demanded by MACC,” he said.

He further alleged that as a former senior member of the Malaysian government, he had “kept silent” on the issue “out of respect for the investigative process”.

“However, the Prime Minister and MACC have not shown the same respect for the process with their continuing uncalled-for comments and statements leaving me with no choice but to respond in order to protect my reputation and good name.”

He further claimed: “I am deeply concerned about the fairness and integrity of our institutions …In remembering the oath of office they both swore to uphold, Anwar Ibrahim and Azam Baki must respect the rule of law and due process and act accordingly.”

CNA has reached out to Mr Anwar’s communications team for their comments on the statement.

When contacted by CNA, Mr Anwar’s communications team said that it has ‘no comment … at this juncture”.

Mr Daim, who is widely considered to be one of Malaysia’s wealthiest and most politically influential personalities, has been caught in a widening probe by the MACC, which last week sequestered his family-owned Ilham Tower, a prime commercial building in the capital Kuala Lumpur.

The seizure on Dec 21 of the Ilham Tower, which was built at the cost of US$580 million and located in a cluster of exclusive high-rise residential and commercial complexes around the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, came after Mr Daim snubbed repeated petitions from the MACC to officially declared his assets in an investigation that began in late May.

The ongoing probe has triggered widespread unease in Malaysia’s political and business circles that the crackdown on Mr Daim may be the beginning of a wider dragnet on corruption by the Anwar administration.

The ongoing MACC investigations are not limited to Mr Daim’s affairs, CNA had previously reported.

Other businessmen close to Mr Daim, including Mr Halim Saad, a one-time business nominee of the long-established United Malays National Organsation (UMNO), and Mr Mirzan Mahathir, the eldest son of former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, are also being investigated.