KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad expressed being 'sad beyond measure' at the passing of his long-time ally, Tun Daim Zainuddin.

"I have lost a friend who stood by me in my struggle for race, religion, and country," Dr Mahathir said in a statement.

Dr Mahathir added that Daim should have been honoured for his contributions but was instead harassed out of "vengeance".

However, Dr Mahathir did not elaborate further though it is believed he was referring to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commision's investigation into Daim.

Last year, Daim was probed in connection to the Pandora Papers, which revealed offshore accounts of leaders from around the world.

He was charged this year for failing to declare his assets which include 38 companies, 25 properties and seven luxury cars.

Daim had claimed the probe by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was politically motivated.

Meanwhile, Mahathir said he hoped God would judge Daim fairly and place him among other nationalists.

"I can only pray. We will be together again one day," said Mahathir.

Daim died earlier this morning. He was 86.

The businessman turned politician served as finance minister between 1984 to 1991 and later between 1998 to 2001.

Daim, from Alor Star, Kedah, also served as a member of Parliament for five terms between 1982 and 2004.

Dr Mahathir appointed him finance minister two years after he was elected an MP.

In 2018, Daim and other party veterans who supported backed Dr Mahathir in opposing then-prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak were sacked from Umno.

Daim would go on to appear in Pakatan Harapan rallies ahead of the 14th general election which saw the fall of Najib and the Barisan Nasional government.

Following the change of government, Daim spearheaded a Council of Eminent Persons tasked with advising the new government for its first 100 days.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/11/1133699/sad-beyond-measure-dr-m-mourns-daims-passing