KUALA LUMPUR (May 18): Tun Daim Zainuddin dismissed the notion that he practiced cronyism during his stint as Finance Minister and Umno treasurer-general, amid fears that such practices will spill over into the new Pakatan Harapan government.

“The police and MACC (Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission) have investigated every time there is a report on me,” Daim said at a press briefing today.

“That has happened during Tun Mahathir (Mohamad’s) time, during Pak Lah’s (Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) time and even [when Datuk Seri Najib Razak was Prime Minister]. So far I have never been charged,” he said, adding that a person is innocent until proven guilty.

Daim, the chairman of newly formed Council of Eminent Persons, was answering a question on his view regarding a comment by PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that “Daim can contribute (to Pakatan Harapan) but he must be aware” of concerns towards his inability to explain scandals tied to him in the past.

Anwar also expressed full support to Dr Mahathir in the Cabinet formation process, which saw some hiccups in the early stages.

Daim described Anwar as a “polished politician”.

“Pakatan Harapan offered Tun Mahathir to become the interim Prime Minister...you have to honour and accept that.

“Anwar knows the ground very well. There are those [within the party] who are impatient.. not Anwar, but the young people,” he said.

Anwar was released from prison on Wednesday under a royal pardon.

The former deputy premier, who has been promised the Prime Minister’s post, has opted to take some time before taking the necessary steps — including becoming a Member of Parliament — in pursuit of the position.