I won’t keep quiet on 1MDB, says Muhyiddin

Former deputy prime mininster Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin says he will not be silent on issues concerning the people including debt-ridden 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). – The Malaysian Insider pic by Seth Akmal, August 2, 2015.

Ousted deputy prime mininster Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has vowed not to keep silent on issues concerning the people including debt-ridden 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

At the opening of the Kluang Umno division's annual general meeting at the Pekan Rabu Hall today, Muhyiddin said although he is no longer the deputy prime minister, he still has the responsibility as Umno's deputy president.

"I do have differences in opinion with the president, but only on one matter, the 1MDB.

"Many of my friends reminded me talk nicely since I am no longer the deputy prime minister.

"I asked why? And they said 'who knows, there might be people who want to find fault so much, that your deputy president post might be threatened'," he told the delegates present.

However, Muhyiddin said he would continue to speak out because a voiceless leader is not qualified to lead the people.

"So how should reply to that. Shut up and keep quiet... I will not keep quiet. I have to continue speaking because it is part of the job. If a politician cannot speak out, he is not fit to become a leader," said the Pagoh MP.

"What I am doing all this while, raising questions, are all meant to keep the party's struggle going,"

He added that it would also be hard for him to keep silent since he had attended thousands of events and gave so many speeches in his 41 years with Umno and 37 years in the government.

"I have talked for thousands of hours, no one ever took to the streets. Surely, they would not do that now. I am after all, still the Umno deputy president.

"Since when did I plan to topple the government? Two days after the removal, I did't go anywhere. Just sitting alone at home. People come to my house... but not many division heads came though," he said.

Muhyiddin had been critical of 1MDB in recent months, and had publicly called for Najib to explain his role in the scandal surrounding the debt-laden state investment firm.

Najib's sacking of Muhyiddin and Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal from the Cabinet last Tuesday had created a dilemma for Umno grassroots who are torn between respecting the two senior party leaders and remaining loyal to the president.

Several Umno divisions have even cancelled the invitations they had sent to Muhyiddin and Shafie to officiate their annual general meetings, despite the fact that the duo's positions in the party remain unchanged.

Many had reportedly told The Malaysian Insider they did not want any quarters to misinterpret the invite, and were afraid they would witness another fiery speech from Muhyiddin during their meetings.

- TMI