KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 29): Former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin has called Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim a "wolf in sheep's clothing who cries reforms but does the polar opposite".
Lamenting the state of reform in the country, Daim said that like many Malaysians, he wanted a new dawn for the country and was a supporter of Pakatan Harapan and Anwar in 2018.
"Then, the nation was under the shadow of the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal. But now, we are under the shadow of an administration that is abusing its powers, while betraying all the promises of reform," he said.
The former minister then went to take a dig at several recent events, questioning if they were aligned with a country heading towards reform.
"For the sake of becoming the prime minister, Anwar made a person facing corruption charges as the deputy prime minister. Soon after, like magic, the DPM’s 47 corruption charges were dropped," Daim said, referring to Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's graft case.
"Honesty, integrity and good governance have gone out the window. Independent institutions like the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Attorney General's Chambers and Inland Revenue Board have been made pliable tools to pursue political opponents," Daim added.
He said that as PKR chief Anwar "busies" himself "pursuing vendettas of the past", the economy continues to take a hit, and the plight of ordinary Malaysians is ignored.
Daim also urged the people to not hesitate to stand up to Anwar's "regime", saying that a government is accountable to its people.
Daim said this in a statement on Monday after the former Council of Eminent Persons chief was charged with one count of not declaring his assets, which included Amanah Saham accounts, seven vehicles, 38 companies, and 25 properties, some of which are linked to the companies he owns.
Calling the charge levelled against him as politically motivated, Daim reiterated that he is not guilty and looks forward to his day in court.
"In my twilight years, I may no longer have the physical strength, but my convictions have not wavered. I am not too bothered about my fate now. Let Anwar throw everything at me," said the elderly politician.
He ended his prepared remarks with a message to his "old friend" Anwar, saying "remember what Allah the Almighty has said in Surah al-Nur, that those who spread foul slander among the believers will have a painful punishment in this world and the hereafter. For Allah knows, and you do not".
The charge against Daim was framed under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act, which carries a punishment of a maximum five-year imprisonment and a fine not exceeding RM100,000.
The court granted a bail of RM280,000 with no additional conditions to the 85 year-old. Daim, who was hospitalised recently, appeared in court on Monday wheelchair-bound, and appeared rather frail. While the charge was read out to him in open court, Daim's plea was hardly audible.
Earlier, while the prosecution and the defence were arguing over the bail amount and conditions, Daim's lead counsel M Puravalen revealed that his client is a kidney transplant patient who had suffered several minor strokes in recent years and who was also slightly hearing impaired due to medication. The former minister also had to remove one eye due to a fungal infection.
During the press conference after posting bail on Monday, Daim was set to read the press statement. However, his voice was barely audible, and he stopped reading the prepared statement, and was wheeled away by his wife to his vehicle.