'Daim was scorned without reason towards his end of life' - Tun Mahathir

SHAH ALAM - Tun Daim Zainuddin was scorned without reason towards his end of life, said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, expressing his sorrow over the passing of his close friend and former finance minister.

Dr Mahathir paid tribute to Daim and said that the he should be honoured for his contributions to the country.

"Daim passed away this morning, and I have lost a companion who was steadfast in the struggle for our race, our country, and our religion.

"I am overwhelmed with sorrow. He should have been honoured for his contributions to our cause, yet, in his final days, he was subjected to unwarranted criticism — condemned for no reason, other than revenge," he said in a statement today.

The former Langkawi MP also questioned the justice of Daim's treatment in his final days, suggesting it was a result of lingering animosities rather than any just cause.

"Is this the reward he received because of revenge? Oh Allah, judge Daim fairly and give him his place in the hereafter as a defender of his people," he said.

The former prime minister went on to express his personal grief, his words reflecting both a prayer and a sense of resigned hope for eventual reunification. "May he find his place in the hereafter as a fighter for his race. All I can do is pray, and someday, we will reunite again," he added.

Daim passed away this morning at the age of 86.

His lawyer, Datuk Gurdial Singh Nijar, confirmed his death when contacted.

Daim, whose full name was Che Abdul Daim Zainuddin, served as finance minister from 1984 to 1991 and again from 1999 to 2001.