KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 13): Over 200 people, including politicians, business figures, and relatives of the late Tun Daim Zainuddin gathered to pay their last respects to Malaysia’s former and twice-serving finance minister, who died at 8.21am on Wednesday.
Mourners poured into the Federal Territory Mosque near Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim in Kuala Lumpur, filling up about a quarter of the main hall, first for the Asar prayers, followed by the funeral prayer for Daim.
WATCH: Mourners bid farewell to Daim
His remains arrived at the mosque at 3.30pm, after a brief wake in Daim’s house in the adjacent neighbourhood of Bukit Tunku. His tearful widow, Toh Puan Na’imah Abdul Khalid, dressed in an off-white jubah and selendang, accompanied him in the hearse.
Former Kedah menteri besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, the son of Daim's old friend and boss Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, served as pall-bearer, carrying Daim's casket into the mosque.
Present at the mosque were former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who came together with opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin and former senior minister Datuk Seri 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, former Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) chairman Datuk Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan, veteran journalist Datuk A Kadir Jasin, former senior minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, and Dr Muhammad Abdul Khalid, who served as the economic adviser to former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and as a member of the Economic Action Council from 2018 to 2020.
At 5pm, the funeral prayers having been completed, the cortege and mourners made their way to Daim’s final resting place, Tanah Perkuburan Bukit Kiara 1.
Arriving at the cemetery at 5.30pm, Daim was laid carefully to rest, without delay, by his sons.
The light drizzle that had softened the earth prior to the cortege’s arrival had stopped, leaving the ground slightly muddy, and the evening overcast.
At 5.50pm, the imam began reciting verses from the Quran, starting with Al-Fatihah, as more members of the public came into the cemetery grounds and gathered to pay their respects.
At 6pm, Senior Imam of the Federal Territory Mosque Muhammad Affandi recited the talqin (recitation of farewell for the departed) accompanied by prayers for his soul. More people were still coming into the cemetery to pay their respects.
As she scattered flower petals and poured rose water over her husband’s grave after the burial ceremony was concluded, Na'imah burst into tears once more.
The crowd of mourners slowly dispersed after expressing their condolences.
Speaking to reporters here, Na’imah declined to provide any comment, saying 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.
"If there have been any shortcomings in words or actions, we ask for forgiveness [on behalf of the deceased]. Allah is merciful to His servants. May his soul be among the faithful and those who have done good," Na’imah's brother, Imran Abdul Khalid, said.
Both of them left the cemetery right after, and the rest of the family and other mourners followed suit.
Only three men, perhaps in their 50s, remained, gathered mournfully by the grave. And there, they collectively performed the funeral prayer for the deceased.
When approached by the press to ask who they were in relation to the Daim, they replied, “just friends”.
As dusk settled in, the cemetery guard came over and invited everyone to leave.