KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 — PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan today accused the unity government of using the enforcement agencies as a tool to achieve its political goals.
Takiyuddin pointed out that the abuse of power charges against Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was a form of planned political prosecution by the government against the coalition.
“PAS is grateful and welcomes the decision by the High Court in Kuala Lumpur, which acquitted Muhyiddin from four charges of allegedly using his position for bribes amounting to RM232.5 million linked to the Jana Wibawa programme.
“PAS had expected this result since the beginning as the party was convinced that the charges against the former prime minister were selective and politically motivated,” he said in a statement.
Earlier today the Kuala Lumpur High Court dropped “vague, flawed” charges of abuse of power against Muhyiddin.
Takiyuddin said the accusations against their ally Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) did not weaken the coalition and instead increased the support from the public which is evident based on the recent state election results.
“The prosecution against Muhyiddin, who is also Bersatu’s president, was to cover and divert people’s attention from the issues that have been happening with Umno, who is part of Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional government under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“We pray that Muhyiddin will be safe and protected by God,” he said.
In delivering the court’s decision today, High Court judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin said the aforementioned charges accusing Muhyiddin of allegedly using his position to obtain gratification amounting to RM232.5 million for Bersatu failed to disclose any offence details.
With the four charges struck out, Muhyiddin has three remaining criminal charges under the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act that are pending at the Sessions Court.
Last April 18, Muhyiddin filed a notice of motion to request that he be acquitted and discharged of all four charges brought against him, alleging the charges lacked particulars as to how he had abused his position or the Prime Minister’s Office for the purpose of gratification.
Based on the four charges, Muhyiddin as prime minister of Malaysia and Bersatu president is alleged to have used his position to receive bribes amounting to RM232.5 million from three companies namely Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, Nepturis Sdn Bhd and Mamfor Sdn Bhd as well as Datuk Azman Yusoff for the party.
