LANGKAWI: Former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin's contributions in assisting Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to develop the island will always be cherished by its residents.
Ahmad Othman, 78, from Kampung Kilim, said Daim helped transform the once-remote island into an internationally renowned holiday destination.
He said Daim became well-known among the locals after his appointment as the finance minister, succeeding Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, during Dr Mahathir's tenure as the fourth prime minister.
"Among us older residents, we remember the late Tun Daim as Dr Mahathir's 'assistant architect', working tirelessly to develop this island since it was declared a duty-free island in 1987.
"Without the hard work of both statesmen (Mahathir and Daim), Langkawi might not hold the global prestige it does today," he said when contacted here.
Retired civil servant Abdul Rahim Mohamad, 72, said Daim's approachable nature made him a well-regarded senior government leader at the time, and he was highly respected by the local community.
"At the start of the island's development, Dr Mahathir and Daim took turns visiting here to oversee the mushrooming development projects at the time.
"As the finance minister, Tun Daim channelled millions of funding to build tourism infrastructure, making the island famous around the world," Abdul Rahim, from Kampung Penarak here, said.
It was reported that Daim passed away while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur this morning. He was 86.