KUALA LUMPUR: Former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin has labeled the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) investigation against him and his family a "political witch hunt."
He said neither he nor his family had been involved in any corruption or wrongdoing, adding that his efforts to establish what offences he allegedly committed to warrant the probe had been rebuffed by the MACC.
Daim also accused Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of interfering in the probe by making unsubstantiated insinuations against him.
"I deny categorically any corrupt act or wrongdoing by myself or my family. This investigation is nothing short of a political witch hunt against us.
"Till today, I have never been informed as to what offence I am alleged to have committed despite my repeated written queries to the MACC," he said in a statement today.
Daim, who also headed the Council of Eminent Persons during Tun Dr Mahathir's time as prime minister under the Pakatan Harapan administration, said there has been an organised effort to discredit him by releasing misinformation and baseless insinuations against him.
He claimed that it was public knowledge that Anwar regarded him as a political threat and foe, leading to attempts to discredit him.
"It would be futile and dishonest for him to deny this. It is also an irrefutable fact that under the MACC Act 2009, the chief commissioner is dependent upon the PM for appointment or extension of tenure.
"Anwar's latest tirade against me on Dec 22, "It is an open secret. Someone had reaped so much wealth" is a reckless and unsubstantiated insinuation that I am guilty of some unspecified offences. This clearly shows his animus against me," he said.
Daim criticised the prime minister for allegedly interfering in an ongoing investigation or influencing an ongoing investigation by making blatant public insinuations of guilt, asserting that he vowed to take appropriate legal action.
As for MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, Daim said it was "unacceptable and suspicious" that prejudicial comments were made publicly while the investigation was ongoing.
"As head of the organisation, Azam must also be held responsible for a slew of 'source' news leaks on the purported investigation.
"These so-called 'sources' can only be coming from within the MACC, as it purports to reveal details of the said investigation," he added.
Daim claimed the purpose of the leaks was clearly to justify their "high-handed actions" against him and to portray him as a corrupt offender.
He stated that since he has not been informed of the offences alleged against him, he was in no position to answer or defend himself.
"I have, since the beginning of this investigation, extended the fullest cooperation to the MACC and regularly communicated with them via my lawyers.
"As such, it is patently false for the MACC 'sources' to claim that I have not made a proper disclosure of the financial details demanded by MACC.
"I reiterate that all that was asked for in writing by the MACC was disclosed and in accordance with the law," he stressed.
He said, as a former senior member of government, he had kept silent out of respect for the investigation process.
He however said Anwar and the MACC did not show the same respect for the process with their "uncalled-for comments and statements", leaving him with no choice but to respond to protect his reputation and good name.
"But it is not only that that concerns me. I am deeply concerned about the fairness and integrity of our institutions. The institutions must be protected for the sake of the nation.
"It is in the highest public interest that the investigative and prosecution process is not tainted and subverted by bias, unfairness, or political motives. This will affect every Malaysian.
"In remembering the oath of office they both swore to uphold, Anwar and Azam must respect the rule of law and due process and act accordingly," he said.
On Dec 23, the MACC confirmed that it is investigating Daim over allegations of corruption and money laundering.
The confirmation came about after the commission on Dec 18 seized 58-storey Iham Tower, a commercial property in the Kuala Lumpur city centre reportedly owned Daim's family.
According to a notice by the MACC, the anti-graft agency seized the tower after it found an offence under the MACC Act 2009 in information provided to them.
Singapore-based Channel News Asia (CNA) quoted financial executives close to Daim as saying the seizure took place after Daim's refusal to submit to MACC's petition to declare his and his family's financial holdings.
CNA claimed that Daim told MACC officials that he had nothing to do with the Renong-UEM deal, and in early December, the former finance minister was told by MACC that he would no longer receive any extension.
It was reported that Daim maintained that the deal, which involved UEM acquiring a 33 per cent interest in Renong, was purely a corporate transaction between companies that were governed by their respective management, board of directors, and shareholders.
It was believed to be part of an anti-money laundering probe that started in late May regarding a corporate transaction valued at RM2.3 billion (US$500 million) in Nov 1997 involving public-listed Renong Bhd and United Engineers Malaysia Bhd (UEM).
In May this year, MACC said it was gathering information involving the alleged misappropriation of RM2.3 billion by a former minister and a businessman.