Anwar must clarify why Tun Daim’s assets were seized – Dr Mahathir

SHAH ALAM – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been urged to publicly clarify the alleged wrongdoing said to have been committed by the late former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, which reportedly led to the seizure of his assets.

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that the authority to impose punishment lies solely with the judiciary and any such action should only follow a proper trial in court.

“A Prime Minister does not have the right to punish anyone accused of an offence.

“If the Prime Minister alone harbours suspicions, that doesn’t justify seizing property. It’s illegal.

“Such a seizure is no different from theft,” he said in a statement posted on Facebook on Monday.

Dr Mahathir pointed out that while Daim’s name might not have been explicitly mentioned, the public was well aware that the confiscated assets belonged to him.

“Tun Daim is no longer with us and as such, he cannot defend himself.

“This makes it easy for Anwar’s government to accuse him without challenge,” he said.

Dr Mahathir also claimed that Daim had amassed wealth prior to entering government service as a minister.

“During his time as a minister, he was in the process of handing over his business interests to others.

“After leaving office, he resumed business activities abroad, where he was never implicated in any scandals,” he added.

Furthermore, Dr Mahathir questioned the government’s move to retrieve Daim’s overseas assets under the pretext of serving the public interest.

“What law gives the Malaysian government the right to seize the overseas assets of a Malaysian citizen, for any reason?

“What we’re seeing now is how Anwar’s cronies are securing government contracts worth billions of ringgit.

“There are individuals accused of misappropriating public funds whose charges have suddenly been dropped. If that’s not corruption, what is?” the post read.

Dr Mahathir also criticised the appointment of the Prime Minister’s family members to certain positions without going through proper channels.

“Enough of the grandstanding about fighting corruption. You yourself are endorsing corruption, nepotism and cronyism,” he claimed.