Editor’s note: With the passing of Daim Zainuddin, Malaysiakini is republishing this 2014 KINIBIZ article which chronicles his rags-to-riches story.

Daim Zainuddin has seen much on his political and corporate journey. Described as shy and unambitious politically, he is said to wield considerable influence behind the scenes. But how big is his influence and how far is his reach?

In the first of a four-part series, KiniBiz examines the extent the influence of the man widely believed to be the most powerful in corporate Malaysia in his heyday.

In early January 1994, the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange plunged by nearly 30 percent within two days, wiping out billions of ringgit and burning countless investors. The media even posted photographers at emergency rooms in hospitals to look out for possible suicides.