Probe into Muhyiddin’s alleged defence of foreigner subsidies referred to AGC

 Deputy communications minister Teo Nie Ching says the authorities are awaiting a decision on the probe after an opposition MP questions the delay.

Former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin denied defending the distribution of government subsidies to foreigners.

KUALA LUMPUR:

The investigation papers into a claim that former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin defended the distribution of government subsidies for foreigners has been referred to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Deputy communications minister Teo Nie Ching said the authorities were awaiting the AGC’s decision.

“We have referred the case to the AGC and are awaiting its decision,” she said in response to Rosol Wahid (PN-Hulu Terengganu).

Rosol questioned the delay in investigating the claim, asking whether the allegation against Muhyiddin (PN-Pagoh) was true.

“Until today, I am still waiting for an answer,” he said.

In August last year, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim ordered the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to investigate his claim that Muhyiddin had defended extending government subsidies to foreigners.

The Prime Minister’s Office said it acknowledged Muhyiddin’s denial of having made such remarks concerning targeted RON95 petrol subsidies.

Rosol also asked who had the authority to determine whether online content was false and what safeguards existed to prevent MCMC from suppressing legitimate criticism of the government.

He cited social media personalities, including Papagomo, whose content he alleged was removed and his electronic devices seized.

Teo said MCMC assessed complaints from government agencies, enforcement authorities and the public before requesting platforms to remove content suspected of breaching the law.

However, she said the platforms made their own assessments based on legal requirements and community guidelines.

Teo added that the AGC and courts played a role in criminal proceedings, while accused persons retained the right to defend themselves.

Earlier, she said MCMC submitted 65,680 requests for the removal of false online content between Jan 1, 2023 and Oct 15, 2026. Of these, 56,304 were successful. - FMT