A score of journalists, including those from the foreign media, gathered outside the home of Daim Zainuddin in Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpur, since news of his resignation as Finance Minister and Umno treasurer broke early this afternoon.

Word had flown that the elusive minister was in his house and the journalists had hoped to get his explanation on the matter.

At about 4pm, Daim arrived at his house in a white Proton Wira which he drove himself.

Journalists, resting under a nearby tree were taken by surprise and were unable to jump him for comment.

They asked the sole guard at the gate for permission to enter the premises but he kept saying, "Tak boleh-lah (I can't)."

Following that, things died down again and the bored journalists were kept entertained by the antics of three peacocks and a dog in Daim's house.

About two hours later, a grey Mercedes Benz left the house but it could not be ascertained whether Daim was in it as the windows were heavily tinted.

False alarm

The arrival of another car got the journalists springing to their feet but it turned out to be a false alarm as it was just laundry being returned.

Up till 8pm, a few journalists were still holding their ground while most called it a night.

Daim's resignation was confirmed today by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad following weeks of intense speculation since the former, in April, decided to take a two-month leave.

Mahathir had told reporters this afternoon that no reason was given by Daim as to why he had resigned from all government positions and as Umno treasurer.

The premier had added that he is yet to decide on a replacement but political pundits are placing their bets on several likely candidates including former finance minister and one-time political adversary of Mahathir, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

Tengku Razaleigh, who once spearheaded opposition party Semangat 46, a splinter group from Umno later re-joined Umno after his party was dissolved in 1996.