BY: CATHERINE SAW

The passing away of Daim Zainuddin was a perplexing issue for some Malaysians as, before his demise, there was a lot of negative press of how he became so fabulously wealthy after leaving office as finance minister.

Was his massive wealth the result of corruption as alleged in investigations by MACC against him, his wife and children? It looks like Malaysians will never know the real truth owing to the many twists and turns to the investigations.

The convolution that took place has made it impossible to decipher the truth but what many seniors recall is how he expertly steered the country out of a financial crisis and how he charted economic growth.

For this alone, Daim deserves respect and recognition, as without his astute skills and management of the finances of the country there can be no doubt that Malaysia could have become a failed state.

Besides this, Daim made numerous contributions to the benefit and well being of the rakyat and it is saddening to note that he died in a painfully unappreciated way as the allegations of corruption marred his final days.

But whatever it is, there is a need to salute his chequered life as while he did positive things for the country there were also the perverse actions for which Malaysians will never know if he is really guilty.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher