KUALA LUMPUR – In light of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)’s recent probe into tycoon and former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, a police report lodged by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on July 30, 1999 against the former has made its rounds across social media platforms.
The police report lodged by Anwar, who was jailed during that period, had accused Daim of corruption and former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad of covering it up.
According to the copy of the police report sighted by Scoop, Anwar then had alleged that the then-prime minister Dr Mahathir had protected Daim from the Anti-Corruption Body (ACA) despite having allegedly received cash and shares worth millions of ringgit.
“On April 14, 1999, in the midst of testifying at the court, I had referred to several major corrupted practices by the country’s leaders.
“I had referred to the letters from three corporate figures addressed to Daim, who was finance minister then, that clearly proves that he had received cash and shares worth millions of ringgit.
“(Former) Prime minister Dr Mahathir not only stopped any action (from being taken) but continued to cover the ‘major bribery’ committed by Daim since becoming the finance minister during his initial term.
“In fact until now, I have made to inform that there were no investigations by either the police or the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA)
“With this (report), I have included the verified documents to prove bribery which are three letters penned by Tan Sri Halim Saad, Tan Sri Tajuddin Ramli dan Tan Sri Wan Azmi Hamzah,” the current prime minister had stated in his report.
Anwar further stated in the report, that Halim in a letter dated April 30, 1990, had written that he as a trustee held 52,208,500 shared in Faber Merlin Bhd (share price at RM1) and 130,000,000 shares in Renong Bhd (share price at 50 sen) on behalf of Daim.
“He (Halim) confirmed that the valued shares are being held under Daim or his nominee’s instruction.”
At present, Halim, the former Renong Group executive chairman is in the midst of a lawsuit against Dr Mahathir, former finance minister II Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, and the Malaysian government which was filed on August 2.
Similar letters issued by Tajuddin and Wan Azmi in April and May 1990, respectively implied that they were holding RM70 million and RM150 million in cash respectively on behalf of Daim.
Tajuddin was formerly Malaysia Airlines CEO between 1994 to 2001 while Wan Azmi had served as Maybank’s CEO in the 80s.
According to a 1999 excerpt of the report by Bernama, Anwar stated he was “quite certain” that the amounts mentioned represented only a small part of the fortune that Daim had acquired through his alleged corrupt acts.
“I have information that a major part of the wealth came in the form of shares in Resorts World, a gambling concern based in Genting Highlands, the public listing of which was approved by Daim shortly before he left the post as Finance Minister in 1991,” Anwar said.
Anwar further alleged that Daim had used his position in the government to benefit himself.
“How about other companies? I believe through such methods, Daim with the blessings of Dr Mahathir had successfully amassed billions of ringgit,” he added.
In the report, Anwar also claimed that he had obtained information that Hati Budi Sdn Bhd, a company with Umno interest, had been divested of its interests by two nominees – namely Halim and Datuk Anuar Othman.
Anuar had served as executive director at Hati Budi prior to the takeover of United Engineers (M) Bhd (now known as UEM Group Bhd) dan Renong Group.
“It is learnt 400 million shares held by Anuar that were mentioned as held in trust for Umno were instead directed by Daim to be transferred to United Engineers and Halim.
“When I reported the issue to Dr Mahathir in 1996, he said that Daim will manage it and ordered me not to interfere in the matter.
Anwar further said after exposing the matter, Daim immediately claimed during the 1999 Umno general assembly that monies and shares from the three corporate figures were meant for Umno’s coffers.
“As far as I am concerned, based on the evidence of the letter, and from the accounts and information from the party’s supreme council or even during the Umno general assembly, nothing regarding the party’s interests was raised,” he said.
Anwar further claimed that him bringing up the matter while he was still in the party and government had incurred Dr Mahathir’s anger and instilled fear among the cronies which included Daim.
“Only corrupt people, with common interests, will continue to protect corruption amounting to billions of ringgit.
“From the information provided alone, it is proven that billions of ringgit in corruption and criminal breach of trust have been committed.
“I am also aware of the great responsibility by the police and ACA to investigate and act. Corruption has become a cancer and originates in the head and spreads downwards.
“It requires firmness and courage to act before the country is destroyed by them,” he added in the report.
According to Bernama, photostated copies of the report were distributed to reporters at a press conference by Anwar’s wife and then-Parti Keadilan Nasional (now PKR) president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Ismail at their former residence in Bukit Damansara, here.
Prior to the 15th general election last year, Anwar, who was then-opposition leader, hinted that Daim would have sleepless nights if he were ever to become prime minister.
Speaking during PKR national congress in July 2022, Anwar said Daim would be the last person who would want to see him appointed prime minister.
The PKR president pointed this out, especially since he had taken over at the finance ministry from Daim in the 1990s.
Last Thursday, the Ilham Tower on Jalan Binjai here was seized by the MACC as it continues to investigate Daim’s finances, which commenced in May over alleged misappropriation of RM2.3 billion in public funds in the 1990s.
The investigation goes back to the period when Daim was finance minister, and when the government, under then-prime minister Dr Mahathir, had overseen the “forced” takeover of shares of a public-listed company that later caused the stock market to plunge.
This took place amid the Asian financial crisis in 1997 and was dubbed a bailout of certain business figures closely linked to the government then.
Daim was also reportedly under investigation over information about his wealth as leaked in the 2021 Pandora Papers, which detailed prominent names involved in transactions in offshore financial centres.
Anwar in February had ordered agencies such as the MACC and Inland Revenue Board to continue investigations into big names mentioned in the Pandora Papers. – December 26, 2023