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Toh Puan Na’imah Khalid has voiced her concerns about what she perceives as a concerted effort to tarnish the reputation of her husband, Tun Daim Zainuddin, the former finance minister. She argues that there is a deliberate smear campaign aiming to portray him as corrupt simply due to his wealth. This, she believes, is an illogical notion that could potentially make any successful businessperson a target for baseless allegations.
Standing outside the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters, Na’imah expressed her worries about the lasting impact of such accusations once they enter the public domain. Emphasizing the importance of the legal principle "innocent until proven guilty," she urged for the respect of this fundamental tenet in a free and democratic society.
Na’imah highlighted the positive role successful individuals play in the economy, providing jobs and contributing to national development. She pointed out that her husband, Daim, was already a prominent businessman long before entering government service in 1984. She believes that his success is now being unfairly used against him to tarnish his reputation and brand him as corrupt.
The genesis of this alleged campaign, according to Na’imah, traces back to remarks made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, questioning the origins of Daim’s wealth. She questioned whether the prime minister's stance implies that capable Malay businessmen cannot achieve prosperity without engaging in improper or illegal activities, expressing concern about perpetuating false stereotypes.
The MACC confirmed an investigation into Daim on December 23, citing allegations of corruption and money laundering. This followed the seizure of his 58-storey ILHAM Tower in Kuala Lumpur on December 18. Daim, in response, labeled the investigation a "political witch hunt" and denied any involvement in corrupt activities.
The MACC, in turn, asserted that the investigation originated from information in the Pandora Papers, which revealed offshore dealings involving various public figures globally. Daim was served notice under Section 36(1)(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 to declare all his assets within 30 days. The MACC noted that Daim had requested extensions five times, highlighting the ongoing nature of the investigation.
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