KUCHING, March 10: Former Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin claims that the seven charges of power abuse brought against him is an “act of political prosecution”.
He said this morning he was brought to court to face six charges and come next Monday, there will be another additional charge.
“The charge against me was made under Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, which is about allegations of abuse of power.
“I was not charged with the offence of accepting a bribe for myself. This is because after an investigation, it was found that not a single cent of the people’s money went into my own pocket during my tenure as Prime Minister.
“This is completely different from the slander thrown at me that I allegedly embezzled RM600 billion of economic stimulus package money during the Covid-19 pandemic. Now it is proven that the accusation is a malicious slander designed solely to tarnish my image, my family and my party,” Muhyiddin said in a statement today.
As the allegations involved did not involve graft, he refused to be seen in the same category of UMNO president Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
On the allegations of Jana Wibawa projects to Bumiputera contractors and the approval of tax exemption on Al-Bukhary Foundation, he said both cases, which resulted in the seven charges against him, were approved by the Ministry of Finance.
He claimed that even before his testimony was taken, he was informed that decision has been made to prosecute him.
“Clearly, the prosecution against me is a form of planned political predation. It is an organised political persecution,” said Muhyiddin.
Claiming that he is always law-abiding, he declared he had done nothing unlawful.
“I accept this charge against me with patience. I know in the political world, there are many enemies who want to destroy me, my family and my party especially when I’m dealing with greedy political enemies.
“For me it doesn’t matter. This is the path of struggle that I have chosen. I do not choose to collude or submit to their false insistence. I choose to stand upright on the principles I hold. This is the price that I have to pay,” said Muhyiddin. — DayakDaily
