KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 — Former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has claimed that the government is trying to form a new “court cluster” after a recent spate of charges against Perikatan Nasional (PN) leaders.
Citing Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s ongoing Yayasan Akalbudi case, Muhyiddin, who is also the PN chairman, reiterated that he did not embezzle taxpayers’ money when addressing the media at the Kuala Lumpur courts complex today, after he was charged with alleged abuse of power and money laundering over projects launched during his administration.
“Since I did not accept bribes, they created another offence to confirm the Umno president’s claim that there will be a new court cluster among the leaders of Perikatan Nasional. He wants to compare himself with me.
“It is definitely different. He was accused of using foundation money for personal use. As for me, not one cent of the money went into my pocket,” he said during the press conference today.
Muhyiddin then decried the charges and accused the government of weaponising authoritative agencies for political vendetta, saying that today’s events were “an organised persecution”.
“I have been involved in politics for 50 years. During that period, I did nothing wrong. In fact, I always obey the rules and regulations. I do not violate rules and laws arbitrarily.
“The government officials who have served with me must know my attitude and stance on compliance to rules and regulations,” he added.
Muhyiddin also said that he is aware his political nemeses will keep trying to destroy his reputation.
“For me, it doesn’t matter. This is the path that I have taken. I choose not to collude with or submit to their false claims. I choose to stand upright on the principles I hold. This is the price that I must pay,” he said,
Earlier today, Muhyiddin was slapped with four counts of corruption and two counts of money laundering making him the second former prime minister accused for soliciting bribes and embezzling public funds.
For the first four counts, Muhyiddin was charged under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act for using his office or position to get gratification from several entities amounting to over RM230 million.
If convicted, Muhyiddin faces an imprisonment term not exceeding 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the sum or value of the gratification received under the said offence, where such gratification is capable of being valued or is of a pecuniary nature, or RM10,000, whichever is the higher.
The remaining two charges of money laundering were due to Muhyiddin being alleged to have deposited up to RM195 million in proceeds believed to be bribes in a CIMB account belonging to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia on two separate occasions between February and June 2021 and February and July 2022.
The charges were filed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
