Anwar: Daim can contribute, but must be mindful of past scandals

INTERVIEW | During the days before there was a Bersatu, former finance minister Daim Zainuddin was one of the individuals whom PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim singled out for being corrupt.

Even when current Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad quit Umno and launched the Citizen's Declaration with Pakatan Harapan, Anwar had warned his party about cooperating with Daim.

"Both Mahathir and Daim were the architects and aggressive exponents of crony capitalism," Anwar had written in a letter from prison to PKR, made public in May 2016.

However, now that he is a free man and working on the same side as Daim and Mahathir, the PKR leader is taking a more guarded approach when asked about his past statements.

"Daim can contribute but he must be aware. People appreciate that he has joined, but people are also expressing deep consternation that he has been unable to explain some major problems in the past.

"People say there's no need to bring old baggage, which is true, but to me, if you want to talk about democratic accountability, it must not stop at (former prime minister) Najib (Abdul Razak).

"Although I don't think (it should go) to the extent of a vendetta, and endless witch hunt," Anwar said in an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini at his residence today.

He added that there are concerns about 'Umno 2.0' creeping in to the current administration.

'Euphoria will wear off'

He also warned that the euphoria people feel about the change in government will eventually wear off and that the criticisms will come, especially from the media.

However, Anwar said that in his discussions with finance minister-designate Lim Guan Eng earlier today, he admitted that Daim had given good advice and had assisted in managing the economy.

Meanwhile, he also stated that investigations should be launched against the Sarawak governor (Abdul Taib Mahmud) if there is a basis to do so.

"I would say no one should be spared, if there is a compelling case to open investigation, you should do it. But not because they are not supporting us.

"We have to be transparent. The litmus test of a democratic government is accountability," he said.

Anwar added that this means investigations must follow due process, even for Taib.

He was addressing concerns that Taib and Sarawak BN may not be probed for alleged corruption if they defect and support Mahathir's government.

Such concerns were raised after Taib and Mahathir met following Harapan's victory in the 14th general election. -Mkini