DPM-PM collision course: Agrees with Branson on Sodomy II

Muhyiddin and Najib - collision course?

Malaysia Chronicle

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin raised eyebrows when he agreed with British tycoon Richard Branson that the ongoing sodomy trial against Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim has hurt Malaysia’s image and the sooner that it was “resolved” the better it would be for the country and its economy.

Branson is not the first international figure to call on Prime Minister Najib Razak to drop the manifestly fabricated case against Anwar. Top world leaders from Nobel Laureate Al Gore to former Canadian prime minister Paul Martin as well as scores of lawmakers from Australia to England have written letters of protest to Najib.

As such, Muhyiddin’s unexpected comments set off renewed speculation that of a widening rift with his boss. In the past, the DPM had always hit back at the international community for interfering in Malaysia’s domestic affairs.

Branson - I hope the case gets dropped

“Whatever is his motive, it does look like Muhyiddin is on a collision course with Najib,” PKR strategic director Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.

Drop it

Branson, founder of budget flights Virgin Group, was in Malaysia to attend an investment seminar. He told reporters that the way the case was being handled turned off the international community and would color foreign investor’s opinion of the country.

"I hope the case gets dropped. The case is fundamentally wrong and it does not make Malaysia look good in the world map,'' Branson said on Monday.

Anwar, the 62-year-old PKR de facto head, has denied sodomising his former aide Saiful Bukhari Azlan at a plush condominium in Kuala Lumpur on June 26, 2008. He has accused Najib and his wife Rosmah of collaborating with Saiful to derail his political comeback.

Anwar - has never given up despite the persecution

Indeed, Najib - who initially denied ever knowing Saiful - later confirmed that he had met Saiful before Saiful pressed charges against Anwar. Najib however denied he had coached Saiful into framing Anwar.

On Tuesday, when asked to comment on Branson’s advice, Muhyiddin sprang his surprise.

“His remarks are in the context of how to help Malaysia further move forward and draw the bigger investment that we need. His comment is taken in light of how to support Malaysia’s initiative, and I want to take that sort of angle as to what he is saying,” Muhyiddin told reporters.

“If you ask me, personally, would you like this case to be in the Malaysian court? I wouldn’t like this case to be in the Malaysian court. Of course, it is true that if there are no cases of such profile, then Malaysia will be much better positioned. The sooner this matter is resolved, the better for us.”