Daim calls for Anwar to be investigated for abuse of power after damning Bloomberg report

Former finance minister Daim Zainuddin has urged police to investigate Anwar Ibrahim for abuse of power following a recent damning report by Bloomberg that he had instructed the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to go after political enemies while sparing a former aide.

In a police report filed on his behalf by his wife Naimah Khalid, Daim said police must carry out a comprehensive investigation into the claims.

"Under our Federal Constitution, a sitting prime minister is subject to the law just as everyone else," said Naimah in the report lodged at the Petaling Jaya police headquarters today. 

"Abuse of power of this nature is punishable under section 23 of the MACC Act 2009 and other relevant penal provisions.

"Daim is fully prepared to give a statement to the police if necessary," she added.

On Thursday, Bloomberg cited three informed sources as saying that MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki had told his officers that its investigations into Daim, former leader Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his children were launched on Anwar's instructions.

The sources also claimed that Anwar had told Azam not to investigate his former political secretary Farhash Wafa Salvador over the controversial purchase of shares in a company linked to the development of a new billion-ringgit immigration system.

The Prime Minister's Office and MACC have denied the claims.

Naimah later told reporters that she and her husband had been the target of a politically motivated investigation.

"Consumed by his unending political vendetta against Daim, Anwar has not hesitated to abuse the powers of his office to achieve his ends ever since he seized power through the notorious deal with corruption-tainted Zahid Hamidi," she said.

The couple are facing charges of failing to comply with a request to declare their assets.

Naimah said the Bloomberg report had vindicated them and confirmed what had been an "open secret" all along.

"We want a criminal investigation into abuse of power, conspiracy and criminal conduct by Anwar Ibrahim. This is a conspiracy to target political opponents by subverting the institutions of state and enforcement bodies, as is evident from the Bloomberg disclosures."

She said she expects the authorities to block news portals that dare to publish or discuss the Bloomberg report, followed by "frivolous police investigations and indiscriminate arrests" of critics and journalists.

She also questioned PMO and MACC's denials, saying they were nothing new.

"Since the article was published, we have heard the usual denials from the PMO and the MACC. More will come from Anwar’s political henchmen.

"But whatever Anwar tries to do, the truth cannot be buried. And the truth will be out," she added.