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FORMER finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, who died this morning at the age of 86, was buried at the Bukit Kiara Muslim Cemetery at about 6.10 pm today.
Over 200 people, including politicians, business figures, and relatives gathered to pay their last respects to Malaysia’s former and twice-serving finance minister.
Earlier, Daim, who passed away at Assunta Hospital, Petaling Jaya at 8.21 am after two weeks of treatment, was brought to his residence on Persiaran Bukit Tunku at 11.30 am.
The remains were later taken to the Federal Territory Mosque, Jalan Duta, for funeral prayers after the Asar prayer, led by the mosque’s Grand Imam, Jamal Abdul Halim.
Often referred to as Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's "right-hand man," the businessman-turned-politician served as finance minister from 1984 to 1991 and from 1999 to 2001 under Dr Mahathir.
He played a key role in helping Malaysia’s economy recover from turmoil in the mid-1980s, restoring it from negative growth of 1.03 per cent in 1985 to 9.06 per cent in 1989.
Like Dr Mahathir, Daim also hails from Alor Setar, Kedah. He was born on April 29, 1938, and is the youngest of 13 siblings. His father worked as a government clerk, while his mother was a homemaker.
He began his early education at Seberang Perak Malay School before continuing secondary school at Sultan Abdul Hamid College (KSAH), Kedah, and St. Xavier's Institution in Penang.
A man of mystery
To most journalists, he was dubbed a "man of mystery" due to his silent demeanour and much speculation about him.
“I lost a friend who fought with me for the nation and religion. I can only pray, we will be together again at a certain time,” Dr Mahathir posted on social media, saying he was “immeasurably saddened”.
He said Daim “should be praised for his contributions to the struggle”.
Dr Mahathir and his wife Dr Siti Hasmah Ali were among those who showed up at Daim’s house to pay their last respects at around 1pm.
Earlier today, members of the Dewan Rakyat observed a moment of silence for Daim led by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.
Presiding over the afternoon session of Dewan Rakyat, Johari expressed his hope that Daim's family remains strong during this difficult time.
"With deep sorrow, I announce that Tun Daim Zainuddin, former Member of Parliament for Kuala Muda and Merbok, as well as a former federal government official, has returned to Rahmatullah (mercy of Allah) today.
"On behalf of the members of Parliament and the entire Dewan Rakyat, I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to Daim's family," he said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also extended his condolences to Daim after he learned of his death upon arriving in Lima, Peru.
"The government acknowledges his service and contribution to the country, especially when he was the finance minister. Al-Fatihah," he said in a Facebook post.
They served together in former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s Cabinet in the 1980s, when Daim was finance minister and Anwar was agriculture minister.
Anwar replaced Daim as finance minister in 1991 and rose to become deputy premier before being sacked by Dr Mahathir in 1998.
Ministers pay last respects
Among other ministers who conveyed their condolences were Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail who said in a post on X that Daim was “one of the prominent leaders that had made significant contributions to the nation”.
Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri noted how Daim “played a key role in efforts to stabilise the nation’s economy during the economic crises of the 1980s and 1990s”.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi, through his Facebook page, also expressed his condolences to Daim’s family and prayed that they be granted strength and patience in facing this difficult time.
“Let us all pray that Allah SWT accepts Allahyarham’s good deeds and grants him a place among the righteous, and may he receive the rewards of paradise,” he said.
Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof who is also a deputy prime minister, said Daim played a pivotal role in shaping Malaysia’s economic landscape during the 1980s and 1990s
He said Daim’s wisdom was instrumental in stabilising the nation’s economy.
“The late Tun Daim was a key figure in Malaysia’s economic development in the 1980s and 1990s, and his wisdom greatly contributed to the nation’s economic recovery.
“May his soul be blessed and placed among the righteous,” Fadillah said in a Facebook post today.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said Daim was a key figure in Umno back in the day and “despite his good and bad, he still contributed to the party”.
Daim, along with former ministers Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz and Tan Sri Rais Yatim, were sacked from Umno briefly in May 2018 for campaigning for the Dr Mahathir-led Pakatan Harapan in the 14th General Election.
Meticulous in financial management
Rais Yatim, who was a former foreign minister, described Daim as meticulous in financial management, both within the party (Umno) and as finance minister.
"I still remember during the challenging times of 1997 and 1998, he engineered a move that allowed capital to be brought in without scrutiny or tax, helping to overcome the financial crisis at that time."
"So, all the savings of the wealthy individuals from abroad came back to Kuala Lumpur without any questions and the amount of this money was nearly RM28 billion at that time.
"This was what caused Malaysia to not have to borrow from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at that time," he said when met at Daim's residence after paying his last respects.
Rais said Daim was also a man of few words, a theorist and worked diligently.
Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching expressed her condolences to Daim’s family before proceeding to answer questions in the Dewan Rakyat today.
“Before I answer the first question, I would like to take the opportunity to express my condolences over the death of former finance minister Daim Zainuddin,” she said.
Pas’s Pasir Mas MP, Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, said the nation has lost a great figure who contributed immensely to its progress, particularly in the fields of economics and governance.
He said Daim’s contributions have left a lasting impact on Malaysia’s economic development and strengthened its financial stability.
“We pray that Allah grants his family patience and strength during this time of loss,” he said in a Facebook post.
Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng also expressed his condolences to Daim’s family.
“May his soul be blessed and placed among the righteous,” the DAP chairman said in a post on X.
Unity government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil paid tribute to Daim for his significant contributions to the nation during his two tenures in the Cabinet.
“On behalf of the government, I would like to express our condolences to the family of Daim. We pray that his family will have patience in facing this loss. Our condolences,” he said.
Among others who paid their last respects were former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin and former senior minister Datuk Seri Mohd Azmin Ali.
Also present were former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, veteran politician and former minister of international trade and industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
Daim's widow, Toh Puan Na’imah Abdul Khalid said she would issue a statement in the future, as this was a "private time for the family". She expressed gratitude to everyone who came to pay their respects. - November 13, 2024
