A “communications plan” allegedly linked to the late Daim Zainuddin’s family’s purported bid to “preserve” the former finance minister’s reputation has made the rounds on social media.
The 13-page document, which appears to have been prepared in August last year, bore the logo of a New York-headquartered global strategic advisory and communications firm. The document circulated online also appears not to include pages eight to 11.
Malaysiakini was unable to independently affirm the veracity of the plan and is withholding the name of the company which supposedly prepared the document pending a response.
The plan’s primary objective, as stated on the first page of the document, is to preserve Daim and his family’s “good name” while ensuring that the political context of a “campaign” against them is properly understood.
The document goes on to outline a strategy which seemingly seeks to undermine the government's narrative by framing legal proceedings against Daim and his family as a politically motivated attack, rather than a legitimate anti-corruption effort.
The plan, designed to run over two years up to the next general election, also proposed that Daim’s wife, Na’imah Abdul Khalid, “front” the campaign, with the firm suggesting that the family adopt a “principles-based public position” that avoids any public attacks.
Humanising Daim, family
Under a sub-heading titled “positioning,” one of the stated matters is to “raise doubts about political timing and motives” while humanising Daim and his family, as well as reframing public debate on fairness, due process, and transparency.
The plan also advocated for the inclusion of "third-party voices” to question the motivation of the prime minister’s actions and push for a reform of institutions.
Failure to bring such third voices aboard could lead to moves to “highlight a culture of fear”.
“Malaysian PR company to contact newspaper editors/journalists to call for fairness around reporting of the case and to be unrelenting in correcting inaccuracies and ensure rights of reply are carried,” the document stated.
‘Not a global story’
In one page, the document implied that “national progress” could be at stake due to “selective or politically motivated enforcement action” against Daim and his family, with such actions potentially damaging investor confidence and risking the reversal of decades of progress.
The plan further included leveraging a media coverage analysis to demonstrate that the matter “is not a global story” and is instead a political campaign within Malaysia, “which we believe can be contained and will not ultimately result in reputational damage outside Malaysia.”
However, in a section regarding “background briefings with key international media,” the document stated that such moves are being prepared to “help shape their perspective on Malaysia/influence their editorialising.”
Among the media agencies named in the plan’s “target list” are the BBC, Financial Times, The Economist, The Times, and New York Times.
The briefing points for international media include talks on how Daim was a self-made success before politics, highlighting that his wealth was established before he assumed public office, while pointing out the MACC’s “structural weaknesses” due to its lack of an independent oversight body.
“(MACC’s) chief commissioner’s appointment and extension of tenure are decided by the prime minister - raising concerns about political influence and selective enforcement,” the document added.
Pressuring ‘political establishment’
Proposing the establishment of contact with the United Kingdom’s home secretary’s special adviser, the plan argued that there may be value in making politicians more broadly aware of what is happening in Malaysia, and to potentially put pressure on the “political establishment.”
However, it said that such moves “should come later” and only if the issue has gained significant traction in the UK.
“In preparation, we have drawn up (a) list of politicians who have formally engaged with the country and its issues through delegations and parliamentary work, or have ties or interests to it generally,” the document stated.
Malaysiakini has contacted lawyers representing Na'imah and her family for a response.
Alleged plot to topple govt
The supposedly leaked document comes amid an ongoing police probe over an alleged plot to exert pressure on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki.
According to Inspector-General of Police Khalid Ismail, the plot involved an "influential individual" utilising international media outlets, with the case being probed under Section 124B of the Penal Code, which criminalises activities deemed detrimental to parliamentary democracy and carries a jail term of up to 20 years.
The probe comes after police received a report over the alleged conspiracy on Feb 26, with the report implicating a woman who allegedly held an online meeting in July last year to discuss the purported plan.
Daim's two children, two lawyers, and several representatives of an international strategic communications firm are also said to have attended the meeting.
On Feb 28, the MACC defended its decision to appeal for the public’s assistance to locate Daim’s four children - Asnida, Wira Dani, Amir Zainuddin, and Amin Zainuddin - to aid a case’s investigation.
In a statement, the anti-graft agency said it had issued a notice to trace individuals as a lawful follow-up action following the children’s failure to respond and non-compliance with two official notices.
“MACC emphasises that the notice is not a form of punishment nor a ‘wanted list’. The notice is not intended to embarrass any party, but serves as a procedural mechanism to locate individuals and ensure their attendance to assist in investigations.
“This action was taken only after multiple reasonable opportunities and time extensions had been granted, including previous extensions,” the commission said, urging the four individuals to immediately present themselves at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya.
The commission had previously listed Daim’s children’s last-known personal addresses in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, and the contact information of investigating officers, should the public wish to relay information to the authorities.
Following the MACC’s publication of their details, legal counsel for two of them criticised the agency’s “reckless and unjustified” conduct, asserting that their clients have been in constant communication with the commission. - Mkini
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