KUALA LUMPUR, November 13 – Former Finance Minister Tun Daim Zainuddin has passed away at the age of 86. His lawyer, Datuk Dr. Gurdial Singh Nijar, confirmed that Daim breathed his last this morning at Assunta Hospital in Petaling Jaya, where he had been hospitalized for the past two weeks. His family reported that funeral prayers are scheduled for 5pm today at the Federal Territory Mosque in Kuala Lumpur.
Daim, known for his influential role in shaping Malaysia’s economy, served twice as the nation’s finance minister. His first term, from 1984 to 1991, under then-prime minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, saw him implementing crucial structural adjustments to boost Malaysia’s economic stability. He returned for a second term from 1999 to 2001, again at Mahathir’s request, to help steer Malaysia through the aftermath of the Asian financial crisis.
Recently, Daim faced legal challenges, including charges for allegedly failing to declare certain assets and company holdings. Earlier this year, he and his wife, Naimah Khalid, claimed trial over asset declaration issues with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission. Despite these controversies, Daim remains remembered for his legacy in public service and his contributions to Malaysia’s economic policies.
