BEKAS Menteri Kewangan, Tun Daim Zainuddin yang kini disiasat Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) berhubung dakwaan rasuah dan pengubahan wang haram menyifatkan tindakan itu sebagai pemburuan politik.
Pada masa sama, bekas Ahli Parlimen Merbok itu turut menafikan sekeras-kerasnya sebarang perbuatan rasuah atau salah laku dalam apa jua bentuk dilakukan oleh dirinya mahu pun keluarga beliau.
Daim turut menggesa Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dan Ketua Pesuruhjaya SPRM, Tan Sri Azam Baki menghormati kedaulatan undang-undang.
Beliau turut mendakwa tidak pernah dimaklumkan tentang kesalahan yang telah dilakukan walaupun telah berulang kali bertanyakan secara bertulis kepada SPRM.
Dakwa Daim, terdapat usaha terancang untuk memburukkan dirinya dengan mengeluarkan maklumat yang salah dan tuduhan tidak berasas terhadap saya.
“Umum mengetahui bahawa Anwar atas sebab-sebab yang beliau ketahui menganggap saya sebagai ancaman politik dan musuh yang mesti dihina.
“Kecaman terbaharu Anwar terhadap saya pada 22 Disember lalu mengatakan ‘rahsia umum, seorang yang menggondol kekayaan begitu besar’ adalah satu tohmahan melulu dan tidak berasas kononnya saya bersalah atas beberapa kesalahan yang tidak dinyatakan.
“Ini cukup menunjukkan kebenciannya terhadap saya,” katanya dalam kenyataan itu.
Mengulas lanjut, Daim menegaskan telah berunding dengan peguam berhubung perkara tersebut dan akan mengambil tindakan sewajarnya dalam masa terdekat.
Jelas beliau, tidak wajar bagi seorang Perdana Menteri untuk campur tangan atau mempengaruhi siasatan yang sedang dijalankan dengan membuat sindiran terang-terangan tentang rasa bersalah secara terbuka.
Mengenai Azam, Daim mengatakan Ketua Pesuruhjaya SPRM itu telah membuat pelbagai komen bersifat prejudis terhadap dirinya di khalayak ramai sedangkan siasatan masih berjalan.
Katanya, perkara tersebut sesuatu yang tidak boleh diterima, tidak profesional dan mencurigakan.
Beliau menegaskan telah memberikan kerjasama sepenuhnya kepada SPRM sejak awal penyiasatan dengan agensi itu kerap berkomunikasi melalui peguamnya.
Baca artikel lain: Daim disiasat atas dakwaan rasuah, pengubahan wang haram – SPRM
“Saya mengulangi bahawa semua yang diminta secara bertulis oleh SPRM telah didedahkan dan mengikut undang-undang.
“Sebagai bekas anggota kanan kerajaan dan kerana menghormati proses siasatan, saya berdiam diri sehingga kini.
“Bagaimanapun, Perdana Menteri dan SPRM tidak menunjukkan rasa hormat yang sama terhadap proses itu dengan komen dan kenyataan mereka yang tidak wajar menyebabkan saya tiada pilihan selain bertindak balas demi menjaga reputasi dan nama baik saya.
“Tetapi bukan itu sahaja yang membimbangkan saya. Saya amat mengambil berat tentang keadilan dan integriti institusi kita. Institusi mesti dilindungi demi kepentingan negara,” katanya.
BERIKUT VERSI ASAL KENYATAAN TUN DAIM ZAINUDDIN DALAM BAHASA INGGERIS
I refer to statements issued by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the MACC Chief Commissioner Azam Baki on the purported investigation against myself and my family members.
I deny categorically any corrupt act or wrongdoing of whatsoever nature 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. I can reveal that we received a letter signed by Azam Baki himself declining point-blank to tell me what the offence is. Yet, there has been an organised effort to discredit me by releasing misinformation and baseless insinuations against me.
It is public knowledge that Anwar Ibrahim for reasons best known to him regards me as a political threat and foe who must be discredited. 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 22.12.2023, “it is an open secret. Someone had reaped so much wealth“, is a reckless and an unsubstantiated insinuation that I am guilty of some unspecified offences. This amply shows his animus against me. It is also highly inappropriate and an abuse of power for a Prime Minister to interfere or influence an ongoing investigation by making blatant public insinuations of guilt. I have consulted my lawyers on this and will take the appropriate action in due course.
As regards the MACC Chief Azam Baki, it is unacceptable, unprofessional and suspicious that he has resorted to making various prejudicial comments against me in public whilst the investigation is still ongoing.
As head of the organisation Azam Baki 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. The purpose of the leaks are clearly to justify their high-handed actions against me and to paint myself as a corrupt person and offender. Not being told of the offences against me, I am in no position to answer them or defend myself.
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.
As a former senior member of government, and out of respect for the investigative process, I have kept silent until now. However, the Prime Minister and MACC have not shown the same respect for the process with their continuing uncalled-for comments and statements leaving me with no choice but to respond in order to protect my reputation and good name.
But it is not only that which 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 Ibrahim and Azam Baki must respect the rule of law and due process and act accordingly.
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