Daim under fire: Anwar adds more fuel

Opposition leader steps into Mahathir-Najib battle with offer of 'proof' for MACC probe.

KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim stepped into the raging war of nerves between his political nemesis Mahathir Mohamad and prime minister Najib Razak with an offer of “proof” for any anti-corruption investigation into former finance minister Daim Zainuddin and his purported billions.

Daim has been put in the spotlight after a campaign that political observers said was being conducted by a new strategy adviser to Najib, to fend off attacks from the Mahathir camp on the government-owned investment company 1MDB.

Anwar, who succeeded Daim as finance minister in Mahathir’s administration, said today he would be willing to disclose all the “proof” that he had to the anti-corruption agency, MACC, if called.

“If they call me, of course I will cooperate. In fact, I have solid evidence,” he said in answer to press queries after a youth gathering in Petaling Jaya.

He said he had information on Daim that could help the investigation, but he urged MACC to carry out its duties professionally. He had furnished such information before, but there had been no action.

“If they ask me, I will give my cooperation, no problem. It is my responsibility to help facilitate investigations. But they have to be professional,” he said.

He said MACC should not focus its investigations solely on Daim’s banking businesses. Anwar had alleged in a report 15 years ago that Daim was alleged to have amassed billions of ringgit in African and Eastern Europe banks through proxies.

Daim had responded to the media attacks by saying he was willing to cooperate with MACC.

Daim and Mahathir have been strong critics of Najib’s handling of the economy and national politics and the media attacks on him were seen as a defensive action by Najib supporters.

Former newspaper editor A Kadir Jasin warned, however, that the sniping could backfire as Najib was more vulnerable to personal attacks than Daim and other critics.