21 Facts About Daim Zainuddin

Che Abdul Daim bin Zainuddin was a Malaysian politician and businessman who served as the Minister of Finance from 1984 to 1989 and again from 1999 to 2001 under Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

Daim Zainuddin served as a Member of Parliament from 1982 to 2004 and as a Senator from 1980 to 1982.

Daim Zainuddin was born in Alor Setar, Kedah, British Malaya.

Daim Zainuddin's father, Mohd Zainuddin Hj Senawi, was a clerk in the Kedah State Civil Service, while his mother, Pok Rafeah Binti Ishak, was a homemaker.

Daim Zainuddin received his early education at the Seberang Perak Malay School in Alor Setar.

Daim Zainuddin later attended Sultan Abdul Hamid College, an English-medium school, and completed his upper secondary education at St Xavier's Institution, George Town, Penang.

Daim Zainuddin's mother supported his aspirations to study law, selling the family's land to fund his education in the United Kingdom.

Daim Zainuddin studied at Lincoln's Inn, London, for eighteen months and was called to the English Bar in 1959 at age 21.

Daim Zainuddin later pursued further studies in Urban Planning at the University of California, Berkeley, completing the program in 1979.

In 2019, at the age of 81, Daim Zainuddin obtained a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Malaya after completing a thesis on the New Economic Policy which he had worked on for 11 years.

Daim Zainuddin began his political career as a Senator from 1980 until his resignation to contest in the 1982 general election where he was elected as the Kuala Muda MP, before transferring to Merbok in 1986 and served as its MP until 2004 as a member of the United Malays National Organisation.

Daim Zainuddin was appointed as Finance Minister under Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in 1984, serving until 1991, and later returning to the role from 1999 to 2001.

Daim Zainuddin was expelled from UMNO over his support for Mahathir and the opposition Pakatan Harapan coalition in 2018.

Daim Zainuddin helped campaign for the coalition in several marginal seats.

Daim Zainuddin began his career in real estate and finance in the 1970s, founding Syarikat Maluri Sdn Bhd in 1973, which played a pivotal role in developing Kuala Lumpur townships such as Taman Maluri and Taman Bukit Maluri.

Daim Zainuddin's refusal led to the seizure of Ilham Tower, a 58-storey building owned by Daim's family.

In January 2024, Daim Zainuddin was charged under anti-corruption laws for failing to declare 71 assets, including two investment accounts, six luxury vehicles, 24 properties and plots of land, and 38 companies.

Daim Zainuddin appeared in court to plead not guilty, having been discharged from hospital before the indictment.

Daim Zainuddin died on 13 November 2024, having been admitted to Assunta Hospital, Petaling Jaya the previous month.

Daim Zainuddin's funeral was held at the Federal Territory Mosque attended by family, dignitaries, and friends.

Daim Zainuddin was buried at the Bukit Kiara Muslim Cemetery in Kuala Lumpur.