GE14 | Former finance minister Daim Zainuddin made a surprise appearance at one of PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali's campaign stops last night.

Azmin was scheduled to appear at a campaign event for PKR's Pelabuhan Klang candidate Azmizam Zaman Huri at Kampung Teluk Gong.

One of Azmin's officers told Malaysiakini that Daim unexpectedly appeared at the event well before the 8pm scheduled kick-off.

"It was not planned. I saw them both speaking for a bit before Azmin had to take part in the event.

"The both sat together for a while. The ceramah was attended by about 350 villagers. Daim left about 40 minutes later," said the officer.

The officer said that Daim's presence gave Azmizam's campaign a boost because Kampung Telok Gong was considered a BN stronghold.

Daim, 80, was dressed very casually, sporting a Isle of Man TT baseball cap and a beige shirt that appeared two sizes too big.

His professional legacy includes the law firm Daim & Gamany and Sime Darby-UEP's predecessor United Estates Project (UEP).

Daim resigned as finance minister in 1991 and was replaced by Anwar Ibrahim. Till this day, Daim is regarded as one of Dr Mahathir Mohamad's closest allies and an influential Malay figure.