Former Malaysian Finance Minister Daim Zainuddin has died in a hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Reuters reported on Wednesday (November 13). He was 86 at the time of his death.
Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad expressed his condolences.
In a condolence message, Mahathir Mohamad said, "I have lost a friend who fought with me for the nation, country and religion."
Notably, Daim Zainuddin served two terms in Mahathir Mohamad's cabinet. He served in the first term from 1984 to 1991 and the second term from 1999 to 2001. Zainuddin won five national elections between 1982 and 1999.
He led the country's economic reforms. Zainuddin was credited with implementing investor-friendly policies and privatizing state-owned enterprises under Mahathir Mohamad. During his time, the country's economic growth reached 9 percent.